# Need some help to write the equations of these lines

#### Tak.Phy

Hi everyone
So I have this homework and I need some help.
I did not know how to write the equations here in the topic so I thought the best solution is to upload a picture of the notebook page.

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#### SteamKing

Staff Emeritus
Homework Helper
These are all straight lines. Don't you know the equation of a straight line?

#### HallsofIvy

Geometrically, a straight line is determined by two points. Any (non-vertical) line can be written y= ax+ b. Choose two points on each line. Replacing x and y with the x and y coordinates of those points gives you two equations to solve for a and b.

For example, if one line goes through (1, 3) and (3, 0) then 3= a(1)+ b and 0= a(3)+ b so we have the equations a+ b= 3 and 3a+ b= 0. Subtract the first equation from the second to get 2a= -3 so that a= -3/2. Then the first equation becomes a+ b= (-3/2)+ b= 3 so b= 3+ 3/2= 9/2. With a=-3/2 and b= 9/2, the equation is y= -(3/2)x+ 9/2 which could also be written 2y= -3x+ 9 or 3x+2y= 9.

(A vertical line can be written "x= constant".)

#### Tak.Phy

Thanks Hallsoflvy.

P.S: My cousin used my laptop and it seems that he posted this topic. I am very very sorry about this and it will never happen again.

#### asdf12312

Imho that's a little confusing. to find slope remember its m=$\frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2-x_1}$ where it doesnt matter which order you use for y2 or y1. So to use example of line with (1,3) and (3,0), you could do it:

m = $\frac{0-3}{3-1}$ ⇔ $\frac{3-0}{1-3}$ = -$\frac{3}{2}$

y = mx+b, we want to find b, we already have m and can use one of the points above for (x,y):
0 = (-$\frac{3}{2}$)(3)+b → b = $\frac{9}{2}$

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"Need some help to write the equations of these lines"

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