Question

Does it matter which coordinate is (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) or can I just choose which coordinate I want it to be?​

Answer 1

Answer:

No, it doesn't matter which coordinate you assign $(x_1,y_1)$ and $(x_2,y_2)$

Step-by-step explanation:

Proof

$\textsf{let}\:(x_1,y_1)=(-1,-4)$

$\textsf{let}\:(x_2,y_2)=(2,2)$

$\implies \textsf{slope}\:(m)=\dfrac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}=\dfrac{2-(-4)}{2-(-1)}=2$

$\begin{aligned}y-y_1&=m(x-x_1)\\\implies y-(-4) &=2(x-(-1)\\y&=2x-2\end{aligned}$

$\textsf{let}\:(x_1,y_1)=(2,2)$

$\textsf{let}\:(x_2,y_2)=(-1,-4)$

$\implies \textsf{slope}\:(m)=\dfrac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}=\dfrac{-4-2}{-1-2}=2$

$\begin{aligned}y-y_1&=m(x-x_1)\\\implies y-2 &=2(x-2)\\y&=2x-2\end{aligned}$

Answer 2

Answer:

Technically not on a graph but on a table yes it matter but here if I were you I would do (2,2) and (-1,-4)

Step-by-step explanation:   y=mx+b

(2,2) and (-1,-4)                  2=2(2)+b                     Answer is: y=2x+(-2)

x1 y1         x2 y2                2=4+b

-4-2=-6                           -2=b

-1-2=-3                    y-intercept

m=2

slope