Question

Find the equation of the line that passes through the points (4,1) and (-4, -5)

A. y = 4x + 1
B. y = -4x - 5
C. y = 3/4 x -2
D. y = -3/4 x + 2

Answer 1

Answer:

First, we must find the slope of the line using slope formula*.

$m = \frac{-5 - 1}{-4 - 4} = \frac{-6}{-8} = \frac{3}{4}$

Second, we now find the y-intercept, or b, using slope-intercept form, the slope we found, and one of the given points.

$1 = \frac{3}{4}(4) + b\\\\1 = 3 + b\\\\-2 = b$

Lastly, we can now create the equation of the line.

• $m = \frac{3}{4}$

• $b = -2$

The equation of the line that goes through the given points is C. $y = \frac{3}{4}x - 2$