Question

A line that includes the points (5, 4) and (3, a) has a slope of -3. What is the value of a?

a =

Answer 1

a = - 2

Explanation:

Givens

y2 = 4

y1 = a

x2 = 5

x1 = 3

Formula

m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1)

Solution

3 = (4 - a)/(5 - 3) Combine the denominator on the right

3 = (4 - a)/2 Multiply both sides by 2

3*2 = 4 - a Subtract 4 from both sides

6 - 4 = - a

2 = - a Multiply both sides by - 1

-2 = a