Write the linear equation that gives the rule for this table.

x y
52 39
61 48
70 57
79 66

Write your answer as an equation with y first, followed by an equals sign.

1 answer

To find the linear equation that models the relationship between \(x\) and \(y\) in the given table, we need to determine the slope and y-intercept.

  1. Calculate the slope (m): Using the formula for the slope between two points \((x_1, y_1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)\): \[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \]

    Using the first two points (52, 39) and (61, 48): \[ m = \frac{48 - 39}{61 - 52} = \frac{9}{9} = 1 \]

  2. Find the y-intercept (b): We can use the slope-intercept form of the equation: \[ y = mx + b \]

    We know \(m = 1\). Now we can use one of the points to find \(b\). Using the point (52, 39): \[ 39 = 1(52) + b \] \[ b = 39 - 52 = -13 \]

  3. Write the equation: Now that we have the slope and y-intercept, we can write the equation: \[ y = 1x - 13 \]

Thus, the linear equation is: \[ y = x - 13 \]