A Line Passes Through The Point(-2,3) And Has A Slope Of 4. Write The Equation In Point Slope Form
Introduction
In mathematics, the point-slope form of a linear equation is a powerful tool for describing lines on a coordinate plane. Given a point and a slope, we can use the point-slope form to write the equation of the line that passes through that point and has that slope. In this article, we will explore how to write the equation of a line in point-slope form, using the point (-2,3) and a slope of 4 as an example.
What is Point-Slope Form?
The point-slope form of a linear equation is a way of writing the equation of a line that passes through a given point and has a given slope. The general form of the point-slope equation is:
y - y1 = m(x - x1)
where (x1, y1) is the given point and m is the slope of the line.
How to Write the Equation in Point-Slope Form
To write the equation of a line in point-slope form, we need to know the coordinates of a point on the line and the slope of the line. In this case, we are given the point (-2,3) and the slope (m) is 4.
Step 1: Identify the Given Point and Slope
The given point is (-2,3) and the slope (m) is 4.
Step 2: Plug in the Values into the Point-Slope Equation
Now that we have the given point and slope, we can plug these values into the point-slope equation:
y - y1 = m(x - x1)
Substituting the given values, we get:
y - 3 = 4(x - (-2))
Step 3: Simplify the Equation
To simplify the equation, we need to distribute the slope (m) to the terms inside the parentheses:
y - 3 = 4x - 8
Step 4: Write the Equation in Point-Slope Form
The equation of the line in point-slope form is:
y - 3 = 4(x + 2)
Step 5: Simplify the Equation Further (Optional)
If we want to simplify the equation further, we can combine like terms:
y - 3 = 4x + 8
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned how to write the equation of a line in point-slope form using the point (-2,3) and a slope of 4 as an example. We have followed the steps to identify the given point and slope, plug in the values into the point-slope equation, simplify the equation, and write the equation in point-slope form. With this knowledge, you can now write the equation of a line in point-slope form using any given point and slope.
Example Problems
Problem 1
Write the equation of a line in point-slope form that passes through the point (1,2) and has a slope of 3.
Solution
y - 2 = 3(x - 1)
Problem 2
Write the equation of a line in point-slope form that passes through the point (-3,4) and has a slope of 2.
Solution
y - 4 = 2(x + 3)
Tips and Tricks
- When writing the equation of a line in point-slope form, make sure to identify the given point and slope correctly.
- Use the point-slope equation to write the equation of a line in point-slope form.
- Simplify the equation by distributing the slope to the terms inside the parentheses.
- Combine like terms to simplify the equation further (if necessary).
Conclusion
Q&A: Writing the Equation of a Line in Point-Slope Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the point-slope form of a linear equation?
A: The point-slope form of a linear equation is a way of writing the equation of a line that passes through a given point and has a given slope. The general form of the point-slope equation is:
y - y1 = m(x - x1)
where (x1, y1) is the given point and m is the slope of the line.
Q: How do I write the equation of a line in point-slope form?
A: To write the equation of a line in point-slope form, you need to know the coordinates of a point on the line and the slope of the line. You can then plug these values into the point-slope equation and simplify the equation to get the final result.
Q: What if I don't have the slope of the line?
A: If you don't have the slope of the line, you can use the slope-intercept form of a linear equation, which is:
y = mx + b
where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.
Q: Can I use the point-slope form to find the slope of a line?
A: Yes, you can use the point-slope form to find the slope of a line. If you know the coordinates of two points on the line, you can use the point-slope equation to find the slope.
Q: How do I simplify the equation in point-slope form?
A: To simplify the equation in point-slope form, you can distribute the slope to the terms inside the parentheses and combine like terms.
Q: What if I have a negative slope?
A: If you have a negative slope, you can simply multiply the slope by -1 to get the positive slope.
Q: Can I use the point-slope form to write the equation of a vertical line?
A: No, you cannot use the point-slope form to write the equation of a vertical line. The point-slope form is only used for lines that are not vertical.
Q: Can I use the point-slope form to write the equation of a horizontal line?
A: Yes, you can use the point-slope form to write the equation of a horizontal line. However, the slope of a horizontal line is always 0.
Q: How do I know if a line is vertical or horizontal?
A: A line is vertical if it has a slope of infinity (or undefined) and a horizontal line has a slope of 0.
Q: Can I use the point-slope form to write the equation of a line that passes through the origin?
A: Yes, you can use the point-slope form to write the equation of a line that passes through the origin. The point-slope equation is:
y - 0 = m(x - 0)
which simplifies to:
y = mx
Q: Can I use the point-slope form to write the equation of a line that passes through a point with a negative x-coordinate?
A: Yes, you can use the point-slope form to write the equation of a line that passes through a point with a negative x-coordinate. The point-slope equation is:
y - y1 = m(x - x1)
where (x1, y1) is the given point.
Q: Can I use the point-slope form to write the equation of a line that passes through a point with a negative y-coordinate?
A: Yes, you can use the point-slope form to write the equation of a line that passes through a point with a negative y-coordinate. The point-slope equation is:
y - y1 = m(x - x1)
where (x1, y1) is the given point.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the point-slope form of a linear equation is a powerful tool for describing lines on a coordinate plane. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can write the equation of a line in point-slope form using any given point and slope. With practice and patience, you will become proficient in writing the equation of a line in point-slope form.