Question

lines from two points (diagonal only)
score: 7/8 penalty: none
question
what is an equation of the line that passes through the points (1, -7) and (-1, 5)?
answer attempt 1 out of 2

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the slope

The slope formula is $m=\frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$. Let $(x_1,y_1)=(1, - 7)$ and $(x_2,y_2)=(-1,5)$. Then $m=\frac{5-(-7)}{-1 - 1}=\frac{5 + 7}{-2}=\frac{12}{-2}=-6$.

Step2: Use the point - slope form

The point - slope form of a line is $y - y_1=m(x - x_1)$. Using the point $(1,-7)$ and $m = - 6$, we have $y-(-7)=-6(x - 1)$.

Step3: Simplify the equation

$y + 7=-6x+6$, which simplifies to $y=-6x - 1$.

Answer:

$y=-6x - 1$