Question

What is the equation of the line ,in slope intercept form , that passes through (3,-1) and (-1,5)?

Answer 1

First lets find the slope through the points (3,-1) and (-1,5)

m=%28y%5B2%5D-y%5B1%5D%29%2F%28x%5B2%5D-x%5B1%5D%29 Start with the slope formula (note: (x%5B1%5D,y%5B1%5D) is the first point (3,-1) and (x%5B2%5D,y%5B2%5D) is the second point (-1,5))

m=%285--1%29%2F%28-1-3%29 Plug in y%5B2%5D=5,y%5B1%5D=-1,x%5B2%5D=-1,x%5B1%5D=3 (these are the coordinates of given points)

m=+6%2F-4 Subtract the terms in the numerator 5--1 to get 6. Subtract the terms in the denominator -1-3 to get -4

m=-3%2F2 Reduce

So the slope is

m=-3%2F2

Explanation: