Final answer:
To find the equation of the line joining two points, (1,9) and (3,1), calculate the slope and substitute one of the points into the slope-intercept form of a linear equation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The equation of the line joining points (1,9) and (3,1) can be found using the slope-intercept form of a linear equation, which is y = mx + b. First, calculate the slope (m) using the formula (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1). In this case, the slope is (1 - 9) / (3 - 1) = -8/2 = -4. Next, choose one of the given points to substitute and solve for the y-intercept (b). Using (1,9), substitute x = 1 and y = 9 into the equation and solve for b: 9 = -4(1) + b, so b = 9 + 4 = 13. Finally, substitute the values of m and b into the slope-intercept form to get the equation of the line: y = -4x + 13.