Question

Write an equation in slope intercept form that goes through (-1,6) and (3,-2)

Answer 1

First, we need to use slope formula* to find the slope.

`m = (-2 - 6)/(3 - (-1)) = (-8)/(4) = -2`

Second, we use the slope we found and ONE of the 2 points listed and plug it into slope-intercept form** to solve for b.

Here is what we have so far:

• 
  `m = -2`

I'm going to use this point:

• 
  `x = 3`

• 
  `y = -2`

Here is how to find b:

`-2 = -2(3) + b\\\\-2 = -6 + b\\\\4 = b`

Finally, we put all of it together and we have our equation.

`y = -2x + b`

*Slope formula: m = y₂ - y₁/x₂ - x₁

**Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b