How do you write the equation in point slope form given ( 1/2 , -1 ) , ( -2/3 , 6 )?

1 Answer
Jun 30, 2017

#y+1=-6(x-1/2)#

Explanation:

First, you need to know what the point-slope form of a line is. That is usually expressed as

#y-y_1=m(x-x_1)#

This form of the equation of a line is the final goal. We need to find both the slope, #m#, and the point the line passes through at #(x_1,y_1)#.

To find the slope, #m#, you need to have the slope formula.

#m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)#

Plugging in the points you were given, we get

#m=(6-(-1))/((-2/3)-1/2)#

#m=(6+1)/(-4/6-3/6)#

#m=(7)/(-7/6)#

#m=7xx(-6/7)=-6#

The first point you were given was #(1/2,-1)#, so you can plug this in for #(x_1,y_1)# in the point-slope equation above.

#y-y_1=m(x-x_1)#

#y-(-1)=-6(x-1/2)#

#y+1=-6(x-1/2)#