How do you write the equation of the line containing the point (4, 1) with the slope m = -1/2?

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Answer 1 · 2017-06-03T22:15:42

#y=-1/2x+3#

Use the point slope formula: #y-y_1=m(x-x_1)# where #m# is the slope and #(x_1,y_1)# is a point on the graph.

We are given #m#, the slope, to be #-1/2# and a point #(4,1)# which can be referred to as #(x_1,y_1)#

Plugging this information into the point-slope formula we get:

#y-1=-1/2(x-4)#

We can write the equation above in #y=mx+b# form if desired:

#y-1=-1/2x+4/2#

#y-1=-1/2x+2#

#ycancel(-1+1)=-1/2x+2+1# <-- (Add #1# to both sides)

#y=-1/2x+3# <-- (Simplify and this is the final answer)

graph{-1/2x+3 [-7.46, 12.54, -1.72, 8.28]}