Question

Find the equation for the linear function that passes through the points (-4,-2)and(4,0)Answers must use whole numbers and/or fractions, not decimals

Answer 1

`y=-(1)/(4) x+1`

Explanation:

Since they give you two points on the lane (-4,2) and (4,0), the line can be determined by using them to find:

1) the slope of the line via the formula:

`slope=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1) =((0-2))/(4--4) =(-2)/(8) =-(1)/(4)`

2) the line's y-intercept (b) requiring that one of the points satisfies the general equation of the line with the slope found above:

`y=m\,x+b\\y=-(1)/(4) x+b\\`

For example using point (4,0) in the equation above:

`y=-(1)/(4) x+b\\0=-(1)/(4) (4)+b\\0=-1+b\\1=b`

So the equation of the line through those points in slope intercept form is:

`y=-(1)/(4) x+1`