Math Problem Statement

Write the equation of the line that passes through the given points: (0, -6) and (-7, -12). Simplify your answer and express it in slope-intercept form using integers or fractions.

Solution

Let's solve the problem.

We are tasked with finding the equation of a line that passes through the points (0,6)(0, -6) and (7,12)(-7, -12). The equation must be in slope-intercept form, y=mx+by = mx + b, where mm is the slope and bb is the y-intercept.

Step 1: Calculate the slope (mm)

The slope formula is: m=y2y1x2x1m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} Substituting the coordinates (0,6)(0, -6) (x1=0,y1=6x_1 = 0, y_1 = -6) and (7,12)(-7, -12) (x2=7,y2=12x_2 = -7, y_2 = -12): m=12(6)70=12+67=67=67m = \frac{-12 - (-6)}{-7 - 0} = \frac{-12 + 6}{-7} = \frac{-6}{-7} = \frac{6}{7}

So, the slope is m=67m = \frac{6}{7}.

Step 2: Use the slope-intercept form to find bb

The slope-intercept form is: y=mx+by = mx + b We substitute one of the points and the slope to find bb. Using (0,6)(0, -6) and m=67m = \frac{6}{7}: 6=67(0)+b-6 = \frac{6}{7}(0) + b b=6b = -6

Step 3: Write the equation of the line

Now that we have m=67m = \frac{6}{7} and b=6b = -6, the equation is: y=67x6y = \frac{6}{7}x - 6

Final Answer:

The equation of the line is: y=67x6y = \frac{6}{7}x - 6


Would you like me to explain any specific steps further?


Related Questions:

  1. What is the formula to calculate the slope of a line?
  2. How can you derive the slope-intercept form from a point and the slope?
  3. What happens when the slope is zero? What does the graph look like?
  4. How do you convert slope-intercept form into standard form?
  5. Can you calculate the x-intercept of this line?

Tip:

Always use the slope formula correctly by subtracting y2y1y_2 - y_1 and x2x1x_2 - x_1 in the correct order to avoid sign mistakes.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Linear Equations
Slope-Intercept Form
Point-Slope Form

Formulas

Slope formula: m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10