Question

Practice writing linear equations given two points.
The first step of writing an equation when given two points is the same for both strategies, slope-intercept or point-slope forms. What would be the first step in finding the equation of the line that passes through (5, 1) and (3, 5)?

create a graph using the two points
find the slope
find the y-intercept
substitute one point’s coordinates into either form

Answer 1

find the slope

Reason: both slope-intercept and point-slope methods start by computing m = (y2 − y1)/(x2 − x1).
For (5,1) and (3,5): m = (5 − 1)/(3 − 5) = 4/−2 = −2.