Question

A line passes through the point (-2, 7) and has a slope of -5.

What is the value of a if the point (a, 2) is also on the line?
A) -7
B) -1
C) 1
D) 7

Answer 1

The value of a for the point (a, 2) on the line with a slope of -5 and passing through (-2, 7) is calculated using the point-slope form of the line equation, resulting in a value of a = 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the value of a for the point (a, 2) that lies on the line passing through the point (-2, 7) with a slope of -5, we can use the point-slope form of the equation of a line, which is y - y1 = m(x - x1), where m is the slope and (x1, y1) is a point on the line.

Plugging in the given values, we have:
2 - 7 = -5(a - (-2)) or 2 - 7 = -5(a + 2).

Simplifying this, we get:
-5 = -5a - 10. Adding 10 to both sides and dividing by -5, we obtain: a = (10 - 5) / -5, which simplifies to a = 1. Therefore, the correct answer is C) 1.