To find the equation of the line in slope-intercept form (y = mx + b), we need to determine the slope (m) and the y-intercept (b).
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Finding the slope (m): The slope \( m \) is calculated using the formula: \[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \] Using the points (0, 1) and (1, -4): \[ m = \frac{-4 - 1}{1 - 0} = \frac{-5}{1} = -5 \]
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Finding the y-intercept (b): We know the equation now takes the form: \[ y = -5x + b \] We can substitute one of the points to find b. Using the point (0, 1): \[ 1 = -5(0) + b \implies b = 1 \]
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Putting it all together: The equation of the line is: \[ y = -5x + 1 \]
Thus, the correct answer is: y = −5x + 1.