Here are the filled-in steps for using two points on a line to write its equation:
Steps
Example
Step 1
Identify the coordinates of two points on a line.
Points: (2, 1) and (4, -5)
Step 2
Find the slope of the line.
\( m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} = \frac{-5 - 1}{4 - 2} = \frac{-6}{2} = -3 \)
Step 3
Use the slope and one point to write the point-slope equation.
\( y - y_1 = m(x - x_1) \)
\( y - 1 = -3(x - 2) \)
Now you've completed the steps to use two points to write the equation of the line!