Chapter 4: Problem 2
Find an equation of the line containing the points \((1,4)\) and \((3,8)\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The equation of the line is \(y = 2x + 2\)
Step by step solution
01
Identify the coordinates
The given points are \((1, 4)\) and \((3, 8)\). Let \(x_1, y_1\) be \(1, 4\) and \(x_2, y_2\) be \(3, 8\).
02
Calculate the slope
Use the formula for the slope \(m\) between two points: \[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \] Substituting the given points, \[ m = \frac{8 - 4}{3 - 1} = \frac{4}{2} = 2 \]
03
Use the point-slope form
The point-slope form of the equation of a line is: \[ y - y_1 = m(x - x_1) \] Substituting \(m = 2\), \(x_1 = 1\), and \(y_1 = 4\), \[ y - 4 = 2(x - 1) \]
04
Simplify the equation
To write the equation in slope-intercept form \(y = mx + b\), distribute and solve for \(y\): \[ y - 4 = 2(x - 1) \] \[ y - 4 = 2x - 2 \] \[ y = 2x + 2 \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Slope Formula
Understanding the slope formula is crucial in finding the equation of a line. The slope, often represented by the letter \( m \), measures the steepness or incline of a line.
The slope formula for two points \((x_1, y_1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)\) is:
\[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \]
This formula gives the rise (change in \( y \)) over the run (change in \( x \)).
For example, if our points are \((1, 4)\) and \((3, 8)\), substituting into the formula, we get:
\[ m = \frac{8 - 4}{3 - 1} = \frac{4}{2} = 2 \]
So, the slope of our line is 2. This means for every unit increase in \( x \), \( y \) increases by 2 units.
The slope formula for two points \((x_1, y_1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)\) is:
\[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \]
This formula gives the rise (change in \( y \)) over the run (change in \( x \)).
For example, if our points are \((1, 4)\) and \((3, 8)\), substituting into the formula, we get:
\[ m = \frac{8 - 4}{3 - 1} = \frac{4}{2} = 2 \]
So, the slope of our line is 2. This means for every unit increase in \( x \), \( y \) increases by 2 units.
Point-Slope Form
The point-slope form of a line equation is essential for creating an equation when you know one point on the line and the slope. The formula is:
\[ y - y_1 = m(x - x_1) \]
Here, \( (x_1, y_1) \) is a known point on the line, and \( m \) is the slope.
Using the slope from our earlier example (\( m = 2 \)) and the point \( (1, 4) \), we substitute these values into the formula:
\[ y - 4 = 2(x - 1) \]
This form is helpful because it immediately shows how the line behaves around the particular point \( (1,4) \).
\[ y - y_1 = m(x - x_1) \]
Here, \( (x_1, y_1) \) is a known point on the line, and \( m \) is the slope.
Using the slope from our earlier example (\( m = 2 \)) and the point \( (1, 4) \), we substitute these values into the formula:
\[ y - 4 = 2(x - 1) \]
This form is helpful because it immediately shows how the line behaves around the particular point \( (1,4) \).
Slope-Intercept Form
Converting the equation to slope-intercept form \( y = mx + b \) makes it easy to graph the line and understand its properties immediately.
To convert from point-slope form \( y - 4 = 2(x - 1) \):
First, distribute the slope 2 through the \( (x - 1) \):
\[ y - 4 = 2(x - 1) \]
\[ y - 4 = 2x - 2 \]
Next, solve for \( y \) by adding 4 to both sides:
\[ y = 2x - 2 + 4 \]
Finally, simplify the equation:
\[ y = 2x + 2 \]
In this form, it’s clear the line has a slope \( m = 2 \) and a y-intercept \( b = 2 \), meaning the line crosses the y-axis at \( (0,2) \).
To convert from point-slope form \( y - 4 = 2(x - 1) \):
First, distribute the slope 2 through the \( (x - 1) \):
\[ y - 4 = 2(x - 1) \]
\[ y - 4 = 2x - 2 \]
Next, solve for \( y \) by adding 4 to both sides:
\[ y = 2x - 2 + 4 \]
Finally, simplify the equation:
\[ y = 2x + 2 \]
In this form, it’s clear the line has a slope \( m = 2 \) and a y-intercept \( b = 2 \), meaning the line crosses the y-axis at \( (0,2) \).
Two Points on a Line
Finding the equation of a line requires understanding how to use two points on the line. Here’s how to use the points \( (1, 4) \) and \( (3, 8) \) step-by-step:
1. Identify the coordinates: Let \( x_1, y_1 = 1, 4 \) and \( x_2, y_2 = 3, 8 \).
2. Calculate the slope \( m \):
\[ m = \frac{8 - 4}{3 - 1} = 2 \]
3. Use the point-slope form with one of the points (we'll use \( (1, 4) \)):
\[ y - 4 = 2(x - 1) \]
4. Convert to slope-intercept form (if needed):
\[ y = 2x + 2 \]
By following these steps, you can always determine the line's equation passing through any two points.
1. Identify the coordinates: Let \( x_1, y_1 = 1, 4 \) and \( x_2, y_2 = 3, 8 \).
2. Calculate the slope \( m \):
\[ m = \frac{8 - 4}{3 - 1} = 2 \]
3. Use the point-slope form with one of the points (we'll use \( (1, 4) \)):
\[ y - 4 = 2(x - 1) \]
4. Convert to slope-intercept form (if needed):
\[ y = 2x + 2 \]
By following these steps, you can always determine the line's equation passing through any two points.