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Writing slope-intercept equations

Learn how to find the slope-intercept equation of a line from two points on that line.
If you haven't read it yet, you might want to start with our introduction to slope-intercept form.

Writing equations from y-intercept and another point

Let's write the equation of the line that passes through the points (0,3) and (2,7) in slope-intercept form.
Recall that in the general slope-intercept equation y=mx+b, the slope is given by m and the y-intercept is given by b.

Finding b

The y-intercept of the line is (0,3), so we know that b=3.

Finding m

Recall that the slope of a line is the ratio of the change in y over the change in x between any two points on the line:
Slope=Change in yChange in x
Therefore, this is the slope between the points (0,3) and (2,7):
m=Change in yChange in x=7320=42=2
In conclusion, the equation of the line is y=2x+3.

Check your understanding

Problem 1
Write the equation of the line.

Problem 2
Write the equation of the line.

Writing equations from any two points

Let's write the equation of the line that passes through (2,5) and (4,9) in slope-intercept form.
Note that we are not given the y-intercept of the line. This makes things a little bit more difficult, but we are not afraid of a challenge!

Finding m

m=Change in yChange in x=9542=42=2

Finding b

We know that the line is of the form y=2x+b, but we still need to find b. To do that, we substitute the point (2,5) into the equation.
Because any point on a line must satisfy that line’s equation, we get an equation that we can solve to find b.
y=2x+b5=22+bx=2 and y=55=4+b1=b
In conclusion, the equation of the line is y=2x+1.

Check your understanding

Problem 3
Write the equation of the line.

Problem 4
Write the equation of the line.

Challenge problem
A line passes through the points (5,35) and (9,55).
Write the equation of the line.

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