Math Problem Statement

Write an equation for the line that passes through the points \left(1,\ -6\right) and \left(-6,\ -6\right).

Solution

To find the equation of a line passing through two points, we use the slope-intercept form of a line:

y=mx+by = mx + b

Step 1: Find the slope (mm)

The slope of a line passing through two points (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) and (x2,y2)(x_2, y_2) is given by:

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

Substitute the points (1,6)(1, -6) and (6,6)(-6, -6):

m=6(6)61=07=0m = \frac{-6 - (-6)}{-6 - 1} = \frac{0}{-7} = 0

Thus, the slope of the line is m=0m = 0.

Step 2: Write the equation

Since the slope is 00, the line is horizontal. A horizontal line has a constant yy-value equal to the yy-coordinate of any point on the line. Both points have y=6y = -6. Therefore, the equation of the line is:

y=6y = -6


This is the final equation of the line.

Would you like a more detailed explanation or examples of horizontal lines? Here are some related questions:


  1. What is the slope of a vertical line passing through two points with the same xx-coordinate?
  2. Can a horizontal line have a different yy-coordinate for any two points on it?
  3. How would the equation change if the line were vertical instead of horizontal?
  4. What is the geometric interpretation of a slope of zero?
  5. How do we determine the xx-intercept for a horizontal line?

Tip: Horizontal lines always have equations of the form y=cy = c, where cc is a constant, while vertical lines have equations of the form x=cx = c.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Coordinate Geometry
Equations of Lines
Horizontal Lines

Formulas

Slope formula: \( m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \)
Equation of a line: \( y = mx + b \)

Theorems

Properties of horizontal lines: slope is zero, equation is \( y = c \)

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 7-9