Question

What is the equation of the line that passes through the point ( − 0.5 , 8 ) and has a slope of − 5

Answer 1

Answer (assuming that the equation can be written in point-slope form):

`y-8 = -5(x+(1)/(2) )`

Explanation:

Use the point-slope formula,
`y-y_1 = m (x-x_1)` , to write the equation of the line in point-slope form. Substitute values for the
`m`,
`x_1`, and
`y_1` in the formula.

Since
`m` represents the slope, substitute -5 in its place. Since
`x_1` and
`y_1` represent the x and y values of one point the line intersects, substitute the x and y values of (-0.5, 8) into the formula as well. Remember that we can convert -0.5 to a fraction:
`-(1)/(2)`. So, substitute
`-(1)/(2)` for
`x_1` and 8 for
`y_1`. This gives the following answer and equation:

`y-8 = -5(x+(1)/(2) )`