Asked by D4VD

Jolon used the slope-intercept form to write the equation of a line with slope 3 that passes through the point (5, –2). His work is shown below.

Step 1: Negative 2 = 3 (5) + b
Step 2: negative 2 = 15 + b
Step 3: Negative 2 + 15 = 15 + 15 + b
Step 4: Negative 13 = b
Step 5: y = 3x – 13

Analyze the steps. In which step did the Jolon make an error?
He switched the x- and y- values in step 1.
He multiplied incorrectly in step 2.
He added 15 to both sides in step 3.
He forgot to add the b-value in step 5.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
He made the error in Step 3.

From -2 = 15 + b you should subtract 15 from both sides: -2 − 15 = b, so b = -17. Jolon added 15 to both sides instead, which led to the wrong value b = -13 and the incorrect line y = 3x − 13. The correct equation is y = 3x − 17.