Math Problem Statement
You are asked to find an equation of a line and are given the slope and a point on the line
instead of the slope and y-intercept. What would you do differently?
Solution
When given the slope and a point on the line, instead of the slope and y-intercept, the process of finding the equation of the line involves using the point-slope form of a linear equation. Here's how you would proceed:
1. Recall the Point-Slope Form:
The point-slope form of a linear equation is given by:
where:
- is the slope of the line,
- is a point on the line.
2. Substitute the Given Values:
- Substitute the given slope into the equation.
- Substitute the coordinates of the given point into the equation.
3. Simplify the Equation:
- After substituting, simplify the equation to put it in either the slope-intercept form or the standard form , depending on the requirement.
Example:
Let's say you're given the slope and a point on the line .
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Start with the point-slope form: Simplifying:
-
To put it in slope-intercept form, solve for :
So, the equation of the line is .
Conclusion:
The key difference is that when you have the slope and a point, you use the point-slope form to first establish the equation, and then you can convert it into the slope-intercept form or any other desired form.
Would you like to explore any more details or have other questions?
Here are some related questions that might be helpful:
- How do you convert an equation from point-slope form to standard form?
- What is the significance of the point-slope form of a line?
- How would you find the y-intercept after using the point-slope form?
- Can you determine the equation of a line if only two points are given?
- How would the equation change if the slope is zero?
Tip: Always double-check the point's coordinates and the slope when substituting them into the point-slope form to avoid any calculation errors.
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Linear Equations
Formulas
Point-slope form of a linear equation
Theorems
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Suitable Grade Level
Grades 7-9