Determining the equation of a line

[Kirito123]

Question:
Determine the equation of a line for the following:
a) The line that has an x-intercept of 6 and that passes through the point (2, –2)
b)The line that never intersects 5x – y + 3 = 0, and which is five grid squares lower than that line

Relevant equation:
y= mx+b

Attempt at a solution:
for a, I know that the x intercept is +6, and the line has to pass through the points (2, -2). Does this mean i have to graph the line first, then solve for the slope of the line (m) and use any point on the line (x,y) to solve for b once i solve for the slope:

After graphing the line i found the slope 2/4 or 1/2. I had to find b so i put the values i got in standard form:
2=1/2(-2) + b
I simplified both sides of the equation.
2=1/2(−2)+b
Simplify: 2=b−1
I then flip the equation.
b−1=2
I added 1 to both sides.
b−1+1=2+1
b=3
My answer:
b=3Is that the correct way to do it??for b, i solved for the slope intercept form of the line, then i graphed it, and counted five grid squares down. Then, i calculated the slope and y-intercept of the new line:

5x – y + 3 = 0
5x –y = -3
–y = -5x -3
y = -5x -3 /-1
y = 5x + 3

after graphing this line, i counted 5 square grids down and got new line that has a y-intercept of -2, and the same slope as the original line (+5)
so the equation of the line for part b is:
y=5x -2

is this correct?

 

[SammyS]

Question:
Determine the equation of a line for the following:
a) The line that has an x-intercept of 6 and that passes through the point (2, –2)
b)The line that never intersects 5x – y + 3 = 0, and which is five grid squares lower than that line

Relevant equation:
y= mx+b

Attempt at a solution:
for a, I know that the x intercept is +6, and the line has to pass through the points (2, -2). Does this mean i have to graph the line first, then solve for the slope of the line (m) and use any point on the line (x,y) to solve for b once i solve for the slope:

After graphing the line i found the slope 2/4 or 1/2. I had to find b so i put the values i got in standard form:
2=1/2(-2) + b
I simplified both sides of the equation.
2=1/2(−2)+b
Simplify: 2=b−1
I then flip the equation.
b−1=2
I added 1 to both sides.
b−1+1=2+1
b=3
My answer:
b=3Is that the correct way to do it??for b, i solved for the slope intercept form of the line, then i graphed it, and counted five grid squares down. Then, i calculated the slope and y-intercept of the new line:

5x – y + 3 = 0
5x –y = -3
–y = -5x -3
y = -5x -3 /-1
y = 5x + 3

after graphing this line, i counted 5 square grids down and got new line that has a y-intercept of -2, and the same slope as the original line (+5)
so the equation of the line for part b is:
y=5x -2

is this correct?

Part b is correct.

Part a is not. You plugged in x and y incorrectly.

 

[jedishrfu]

B looks right, both lines have the same slope which means they are parallel and so will never intersect.

For A, you can check your solution as you have two points that must be on the line (2,-2) and the x-intercept point. Do you know the coordinates of the x-intercept?

 

[Kirito123]

is this the answer for part a?
-2 = 2/4(2) +b
-2 = 1 + b
-3 = b

so the equation of the line for part a is:
y= 1/2x -3
is this correct??

 

[jedishrfu]

is this the answer for part a?
-2 = 2/4(2) +b
-2 = 1 + b
-3 = b

so the equation of the line for part a is:
y= 1/2x -3
is this correct??

Take the two points mentioned earlier and plug them back into the equation. This is how you check you answer. So plug in the X intercept point which you should kno it's coordinates since it's an intercept point on the X axis. Similarly for the other point if either fail then you know your solution is wrong and so it's time to review your steps.

We can't do your homework for you.

 

[Kirito123]

so i plugged the x-intercept point into my equation, and here's what i got:
(6,0)

0 = 1/2(6) -3
0 = 3-3
0 = 0
so because both sides of the equation are balanced, I am assuming my equation is correct?

 

[jedishrfu]

Ok and when you plug in 2,-2 what do you get?

If that balances too then you have demonstrated that your solution is correct.

 

[Kirito123]

-2 = 1/2(2) -3
-2 = 1 - 3
-2 = -2

It does balance, so I'm guessing that my solution is correct?

 

[jedishrfu]

As a post analysis of your problem review your original steps to understand where you went wrong. Many times students will commit the same mistakes over and over losing valuable points on an exam.

My brother would do something similar, he'd solve the problem but make a mistake in the check math and go back to "fix" his answer. Once he saw what he was doing he spent more time checking his check too.

 

[jedishrfu]

Yes I think you're right.

 

[Kirito123]

Thanks for the advice and the help!