Need some help to write the equations of these lines

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around writing the equations of straight lines based on given points. Participants are exploring the geometric interpretation of lines and the algebraic formulation of their equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the method of determining the equation of a straight line using two points. There are attempts to clarify the relationship between the slope and the y-intercept, as well as the algebraic manipulation involved in deriving the line's equation.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to derive the equations from points, while others express confusion regarding the explanations given. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, and there is no explicit consensus on the best approach yet.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes that the original poster did not intend to create the topic, indicating potential confusion in the discussion. There may also be constraints related to the clarity of the problem setup due to the use of a picture instead of textual equations.

Tak.Phy
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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.
uploadfromtaptalk1393106279300.jpg
 
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These are all straight lines. Don't you know the equation of a straight line?
 
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".)
 
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.
 
Imho that's a little confusing. to find slope remember its m=[itex]\frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2-x_1}[/itex] where it doesn't 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 = [itex]\frac{0-3}{3-1}[/itex] ⇔ [itex]\frac{3-0}{1-3}[/itex] = -[itex]\frac{3}{2}[/itex]

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