Math Problem Statement
Write an equation for the line containing the points (2, −2) and (−2, 6). Find the x and y-intercepts of the line, if any.
Solution
We will first find the equation of the line passing through the points and .
Step 1: Find the slope
The slope of a line through two points and is given by the formula:
Substituting the coordinates and :
Step 2: Use the point-slope form to find the equation of the line
The point-slope form of a line is:
Substituting and one of the points, say :
Simplifying:
Thus, the equation of the line is:
Step 3: Find the x-intercept and y-intercept
- Y-intercept: The y-intercept is where the line crosses the y-axis, which occurs when . Substituting into the equation:
Thus, the y-intercept is .
- X-intercept: The x-intercept is where the line crosses the x-axis, which occurs when . Setting in the equation:
Solving for :
Thus, the x-intercept is .
Final Answer:
- The equation of the line is:
- The x-intercept is:
- The y-intercept is:
Would you like more details or have any questions?
Here are some related questions for you to explore:
- How do you find the slope of a line if one point is at infinity?
- What is the general form of a linear equation, and how does it relate to slope-intercept form?
- How do you calculate the distance between two points on a line?
- What is the significance of the intercepts in graphing linear equations?
- Can a line have more than one x-intercept or y-intercept?
Tip: Always double-check your intercepts by substituting the values back into the original equation to verify they satisfy the equation!
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Algebra
Linear Equations
Slope
Intercepts
Formulas
Slope formula: m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
Point-slope form: y - y1 = m(x - x1)
Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b
Theorems
Slope formula
Point-slope form
Slope-intercept form
Suitable Grade Level
Grades 8-10
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