Question

Find the equation of the line passing through the points (2, -1) and (-6, -5)

Answer 1

Step 1: Find the slope

Point 1 = (2, -1)

Point 2 = (-6, -5)

m = (-5 - - 1) / (-6 - 2) = (-5 + 1) / (-6 - 2) = -4 / -8 = 1/2

m = 1/2

Step 2: Find the y-intercept

Slope-Intercept Form: y = mx + b

-m is the slope

-b is the y-intercept

---Plug in whichever point you want as well as the slope and solve for b

Point = (2, -1)

-1 = (1/2)(2) + b

-1 = 1 + b

b = -2

Step 3: Form the equation

Slope-Intercept Form: y = mx + b

m = 1/2

b = -2

y = 1/2x - 2

Hope this helps!! :)