Question

A line with a slope of –1/3 passes through the points (3,s) and (–3,–3). What is the value of s?

a) s = -9
b) s = -5
c) s = -6
d) s = -4

Answer 1

The value of s is found by using the slope formula with the given points and solving for s. The correct answer is that s equals -5, corresponding to choice b.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asked to find the value of s when a line with a slope of –1/3 passes through the points (3,s) and (–3,–3). To solve this, we use the slope formula which is (y2 – y1) / (x2 – x1). Plugging in our known points, we get (–3 – s) / (–3 – 3) = –1/3.

Now we solve for s: (–3 – s) / –6 = –1/3.
Multiplying both sides by –6 to get rid of the fraction, we have –3 – s = –2. Rearranging it to solve for s, we get s = –1. Therefore, the value of s is –1, which corresponds to choice b) s = –5.