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Linear Equation Help [resolved]

Mightymos

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Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 11:02 am

I hope I can find some help here. Here's my problem:

Find the equation of the line that passes through (1970, 70. cool and (1980, 43.7). In particular, find the slope m and the vertical intercept .

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 2:48 pm

I'm not a helper, but I couldn't resist. xD;

The slope formula is (y1-y2)/(x2-x1). Or change in Y over change in X. First figure that out. Make note of the answer and write it down somewhere so you don't forget.

Find the slope between the two points.

Then using the slope, apply to this formula: y-y1 = m(x-x1)

Y1 being one of the two sets of points' Y coordinate. X1 being the X coordinate from the same set of points.

Once you apply the two numbers, plug in the slope. Distribute the slope. You should end up with something like Y-# = mX - (m*#).

Once you do that, solve for Y and you should get the equation in y =mx+b format.

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Solve for vertical intercept:

Vertical intercept is b in the equation y = mx+b
Solve for b and that's your vertical intercept.