A line with a slope of #-4# passes through the points #(s, -4)# and #(0, 0)#. What is the value of #s#?

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Answer 1 · 2016-04-11T23:51:13

#s=1#

First let's get an equation for the line.
You're probably used to doing that like this:

#y=mx+b# (we need to find #m# and #b#)

The problem states that the slope is #-4#,
so #m=-4#

if we plug in the known point #(0,0)# for #(x,y)#
we get:
#0=-4(0)+b#
#0=0+b#

#b=0#

so the equation of the line is #y=-4x+0# or #y=-4x#

now do the following:
#(s,-4)-> x=s, y=-4#

#-4=-4(s)+0#
#-4=-4(s)#

#s=1#