How do you write the point slope form of the equation given (5,-2) and (3,5)?

1 Answer
Jul 2, 2017

#y +2 = -7/2(x –5)#
OR
#y –5 = -7/2(x – 3)#

Explanation:

Point-slope form is #y – y_1 = m(x – x_1)# where #m# is the slope and the letters with the subscript are the coordinates of a point. First, find the slope of the line:

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

#m=(5-(-2))/(3-5)#

#m=-7/2#

Your equation is now #y – y_1 = -7/2(x – x_1)#

Now pick a point, either of them will work; and substitiute the coordinates into their respective x and y values.

#y +2 = -7/2(x –5)#
OR
#y –5 = -7/2(x – 3)#