Question

I don't understand the question ... find an equation for the line with an x intercept of 4 and a y intercept of -2

Answer 1

The answer is y=1/2x -2

-In order to find this, you need to find the slope first.
-Since the x-intercept is (4,0) and the y-intercept is (0,-2), we can use (y-y1)/(x-x1).
-So, (0 - -2)/(4 - 0) = 2/4 = 1/2 (this is the slope)
-Using y=mx+b, where m= the slope and b=the y-intercept, plug in 1/2 for m and -2 for b
-Now the equation is y=1/2x -2

Answer 2

1. first find the slope from the two points (4,0) and (0,-2)

    the equation is  y2 -y1/ x2 - x1

2. From doing that you will get a slope of 1/2

3. Since we need a y intercept of -2, when you plug in x to the equation the y must equal -2

   the only equation that fits those needs is y = 1/2x - 2

4. You can check by plugging in x as 4(which should give you y = 0), or plug in x as 0(which should give you y = -2