| Steps |
Example:
Write the equation of the line that passes through the points (5, 3)
and (-1, -9). |
| Step
1. Calculate the Slope (m) m = (y-y)/(x-x)
remember to subtract in the same order! |
m
= (3 - -9) / (5 - -1) m = 12/6 m = 2 |
| Step
2. Calculate the Y-intercept (b) a. Write down
y=mx + b
b. Fill in values for x and y by selecting one given point (your choice) c. Fill in the value of m from step 1 d. Solve for b |
a.
y = mx
+ b b. I'll choose (5 , 3) to substitue; thus x=5 and y=3 c. Remember we found m = 2 3 = m(5) + b
a. y = mx + b |