Math Problem Statement

Find the equation of the line that passes through the given points. (Use x as your variable.) (3, 4), (−3, −10)

Solution

To find the equation of the line that passes through the points (3,4)(3, 4) and (3,10)(-3, -10), we can follow these steps:

Step 1: Find the slope mm using the slope formula:

m=y2y1x2x1m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} Here, (x1,y1)=(3,4)(x_1, y_1) = (3, 4) and (x2,y2)=(3,10)(x_2, y_2) = (-3, -10).

Substitute the values: m=10433=146=73m = \frac{-10 - 4}{-3 - 3} = \frac{-14}{-6} = \frac{7}{3} So, the slope m=73m = \frac{7}{3}.

Step 2: Use the point-slope form to write the equation of the line.

The point-slope form is: yy1=m(xx1)y - y_1 = m(x - x_1) Using the point (3,4)(3, 4) and slope m=73m = \frac{7}{3}, substitute into the formula: y4=73(x3)y - 4 = \frac{7}{3}(x - 3)

Step 3: Simplify the equation.

Distribute the slope: y4=73x733y - 4 = \frac{7}{3}x - \frac{7}{3} \cdot 3 y4=73x7y - 4 = \frac{7}{3}x - 7 Add 4 to both sides: y=73x7+4y = \frac{7}{3}x - 7 + 4 y=73x3y = \frac{7}{3}x - 3

Final Equation:

The equation of the line is: y=73x3y = \frac{7}{3}x - 3

Would you like more details or have any further questions?

Here are five related questions to expand on this:

  1. How do you find the equation of a line if you know only one point and the slope?
  2. What is the importance of the slope in determining the direction of a line?
  3. How can you check if a given point lies on a line using its equation?
  4. What is the difference between slope-intercept form and point-slope form of a line?
  5. How can you find the x- or y-intercept from the equation of a line?

Tip: Always double-check your slope calculation to avoid sign mistakes when working with negative coordinates.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Linear Equations
Slope of a Line

Formulas

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

Theorems

Slope Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10