To determine whether two lines are parallel, you need to compare their slopes and y-intercepts. The key point is that parallel lines have the same slope but different y-intercepts.
For the two given lines:
- \( y = 23x + 7 \) (slope = 23, y-intercept = 7)
- \( y = 23x - 2 \) (slope = 23, y-intercept = -2)
Both lines have the same slope of 23, but different y-intercepts (7 and -2).
Based on this reasoning:
Statement #1: Mick says he should verify that the lines have the same slopes but different y-intercepts.
This statement is correct.
Statement #2: Mick says he should verify that the lines have the same y-intercepts but different slopes.
This statement is incorrect.
Therefore, Statement #1 correctly describes the approach Mick should take based on the best reasoning.