How Do You Find the Slope-Intercept Form with Given Intercepts?

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To find the slope-intercept form of a line with x-intercept 2 and y-intercept 2/3, the slope is calculated as (2/3 - 0) / (0 - 2), resulting in -1/3. The slope-intercept form is then expressed as y = -1/3x + 2/3. A participant highlights the importance of canceling common factors in fractions before multiplying to simplify calculations. The discussion emphasizes the mathematical principle that allows for early cancellation in fraction multiplication. Understanding these concepts aids in accurately deriving the slope-intercept form.
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Homework Statement



find the slope-intercept form for the line satisfying the following conditions
x intercept 2, y intercept 2/3

Please let me know if I solved this correctly. Thankyou.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



2, 0

0,2/3

(2/3 -0) / (0 - 2)

2/3 / -2/1

2/3 * -1/2

-2/6 == -1/3

slope intercept form
so y = -1/3x + 2/3
 
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That is correct.
 
thanks.
 
rcmango said:
2/3 * -1/2

-2/6 == -1/3

Rather than instantly multiplying numerators and denominators together, then cancelling, you should cancel first! The common factor of 2 in the numerator and denominator of 2/3 * -1/2 should be canceled to leave you with 1/3 * -1/1 = -1/3
 
Okay, thanks for the advice, ill definitely keep that in mind. So denominators, and numerators from opposite equations can cancel early for fractions.
 
Yep!

It's because we can do things like

\frac{a}{c}\cdot\frac{b}{d}=\frac{ab}{cd}=\frac{ba}{cd}=\frac{b}{c}\cdot\frac{a}{d}

Which is why it works.
 
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