Question

Find the equation of the line with slope -2 and that contains the point (-8,-2). Write the equation in the form y=mx+b and identity m and b.

Answer 1

In order to find the linear equation, use the following general equation for a line:

`y-y_o=m(x-x_o)`

where:

m: slope of the line = -2

(xo,yo): coordinate of a point on the line = (-8,-2)

Replace the previous values of the parameters into the general equation for a line and solve for y, as follow:

`\begin{gathered} y-(-2)=-2(x-(-8)) \\ y+2=-2(x+8) \\ y+2=-2x-16 \\ y=-2x-16-2 \\ y=-2x-18 \end{gathered}`

Hence, the equation of the line is y = -2x - 18