Question

Find the equation (in terms of x) of the line through the points (-4,2) and (3,-5)Y=

Answer 1

Answer:   y = -x-2

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Explanation:

First we need the slope

$(x_1,y_1) = (-4,2) \text{ and } (x_2,y_2) = (3,-5)\\\\m = \frac{y_{2} - y_{1}}{x_{2} - x_{1}}\\\\m = \frac{-5 - 2}{3 - (-4)}\\\\m = \frac{-5 - 2}{3 + 4}\\\\m = \frac{-7}{7}\\\\m = -1$

Then we can find the y intercept using the coordinates of (x,y) = (-4,2)

y = mx+b

2 = -1(-4)+b

2 = 4+b

2-4 = b

-2 = b

b = -2

Alternatively, you can use the other point (x,y) = (3,-5) and m = -1.

Because m = -1 and b = -2, we go from y = mx+b to y = -1x+(-2) which simplifies to y = -x-2