Math Problem Statement

A line passes through the point (4, 1) and has a slope of -5/4. Write an equation in slope-intercept form for this line.

Solution

To find the equation of a line in slope-intercept form, y=mx+by = mx + b, we need the slope mm and the y-intercept bb.

Given:

  • Point: (4,1)(4, 1)
  • Slope: m=54m = -\frac{5}{4}

Steps:

  1. Use the point-slope form of the equation of a line:
    yy1=m(xx1)y - y_1 = m(x - x_1) where (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) is a point on the line.

  2. Substitute the given point (4,1)(4, 1) and the slope 54-\frac{5}{4}: y1=54(x4)y - 1 = -\frac{5}{4}(x - 4)

  3. Expand the equation: y1=54x+544y - 1 = -\frac{5}{4}x + \frac{5}{4} \cdot 4 y1=54x+5y - 1 = -\frac{5}{4}x + 5

  4. Solve for yy to put the equation in slope-intercept form: y=54x+5+1y = -\frac{5}{4}x + 5 + 1 y=54x+6y = -\frac{5}{4}x + 6

Final Answer:

The equation of the line in slope-intercept form is: y=54x+6y = -\frac{5}{4}x + 6

Would you like more details on any part of this process?

Here are five related questions for further exploration:

  1. How do you find the equation of a line given two points instead of a point and a slope?
  2. What does the slope of a line represent geometrically?
  3. How can you determine if two lines are parallel or perpendicular?
  4. How do you convert a line equation from slope-intercept form to standard form?
  5. How do you find the x-intercept of a line given its slope-intercept equation?

Tip: In slope-intercept form, the coefficient of xx represents the slope, and the constant term represents the y-intercept directly.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Linear Equations
Slope-Intercept Form

Formulas

Slope-Intercept Form: y = mx + b
Point-Slope Form: y - y1 = m(x - x1)

Theorems

Slope-Intercept Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10