Final answer:
To write the equation of a line in slope-intercept form, find the slope and the y-intercept. The equation of the line passing through the points (1, -4) and (-3, 2) is y = -3/2x - 5/2.
Step-by-step explanation:
To write the equation of a line in slope-intercept form, we need to use the formula y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.
First, we need to find the slope (m). The formula for slope is m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1). Using the given points (1, -4) and (-3, 2), we have: m = (2 - (-4)) / (-3 - 1) = 6 / (-4) = -3/2.
Next, we can substitute the slope (-3/2) and one of the given points (1, -4) into the equation y = mx + b to solve for the y-intercept (b). Substituting the values, we have: -4 = (-3/2)(1) + b. Solving for b, we get: b = -4 + 3/2 = -5/2.
Therefore, the equation of the line in slope-intercept form is y = -3/2x - 5/2 (option A).