Question

Michael cuts a piece of wood for a project. The first cut is shown and can be represented by the equation . The second cut needs to be parallel to the first. It will pass through the point (0, –2). Identify the equation that represents Michael’s second cut.

Answer 1

Short Answer: A
Remark
The second cut is going to have the same slope as the original line. The lines are parallel.

Step One
You need to find the slope. That is the main part of this problem. You can pick any 2 points on the graph to do that.

Point one 
(- 11, 10) That point is on the upper left of the line

Point Two
The y intercept is a handy point in this question. It is right on the y axis. Each square counts as 2, so it is at (0,6)

Formula
slope = m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)

Givens
y2 = 10
y1 = 6
x2 = -12    Each square counts as 2 in the x direction.
x1 = 0

Substitute and solve.
m = (10 - 6) / (-12 - 0)
m = 4/ - 12
m = - 1/3

Step Two
Find the y intercept of the new line using the given point. 

So far what we have is  
y = (-1/3)x + b
The point used for the second line is (0,-2)
-2 = (-1/3)*0 + b 
b = - 2

Answer
The second line is
y = (-1/3)x - 2