Math Problem Statement

Find an equation of the line that passes through the points (1,6), (4,2).

Solution

To find the equation of the line that passes through the points (1,6)(1,6) and (4,2)(4,2), we can use the point-slope form of a line:

yy1=m(xx1)y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)

Step 1: Find the Slope (mm)

The slope mm of the line can be found using the formula:

m=y2y1x2x1m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}

Substitute the given points (x1,y1)=(1,6)(x_1, y_1) = (1, 6) and (x2,y2)=(4,2)(x_2, y_2) = (4, 2):

m=2641=43m = \frac{2 - 6}{4 - 1} = \frac{-4}{3}

Step 2: Use the Point-Slope Form

Now, plug the slope m=43m = -\frac{4}{3} and one of the points, say (1,6)(1,6), into the point-slope form:

y6=43(x1)y - 6 = -\frac{4}{3}(x - 1)

Step 3: Simplify to the Slope-Intercept Form

We can expand and simplify the equation to get it into slope-intercept form y=mx+by = mx + b:

y6=43x+43y - 6 = -\frac{4}{3}x + \frac{4}{3}

y=43x+43+6y = -\frac{4}{3}x + \frac{4}{3} + 6

Since 66 is 183\frac{18}{3}:

y=43x+43+183=43x+223y = -\frac{4}{3}x + \frac{4}{3} + \frac{18}{3} = -\frac{4}{3}x + \frac{22}{3}

Final Equation

The equation of the line in slope-intercept form is:

y=43x+223y = -\frac{4}{3}x + \frac{22}{3}

Would you like more details or have any other questions? Here are some related questions:

  1. How do you convert a linear equation from point-slope form to standard form?
  2. What is the significance of the slope in the equation of a line?
  3. How do you determine if two lines are parallel or perpendicular?
  4. Can the equation of a line be represented in forms other than slope-intercept and point-slope?
  5. How do you find the equation of a line given a point and the slope?

Tip: Always check your slope calculations by substituting the points into the equation to ensure consistency.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Linear Equations
Point-Slope Form
Slope-Intercept Form

Formulas

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

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10