Question

Write the equation of the line that passes through the points (1, 4) and (9,-8). Put

your answer in fully reduced point-slope form, unless it is a vertical or horizontal line.

Answer 1

Start with the slope formula, shown below.

m = y₂ - y₁ / x₂ - x₁

We take the second y minus the first y over the second x minus the first x.

So we have m = -8 - 4 / 9 - 1 or -12/8.

Notice that -12/8 can be reduced to -3/2.

So the slope of this line is -3/2.

The variable that's used to represent slope is m.

So here, we would say that m = -3/2.