Any ideas on how to solve this: Use a vector solution to show that a scalar equation for the line through the points P1(x1, y1) and P2(x2, y2) is y-y1/x-x1 = y2-y1/x2-x1? Very confused as to what is meant by this question. Thanks.

Question

Any ideas on how to solve this: Use a vector solution to show that a scalar equation for the line through the points P1(x1, y1) and P2(x2, y2) is  y-y1/x-x1 = y2-y1/x2-x1? Very confused as to what is meant by this question. Thanks.

drwls · Answer

This just says, correctly, thst the change in y from point (x1,y1) is equal to the slope times the change in x from that point. The slope of the line is (y2-y1)/(x2-x1)