Table of contents
- 0. Review of Algebra4h 16m
- 1. Equations & Inequalities3h 18m
- 2. Graphs of Equations43m
- 3. Functions2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 44m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Systems of Equations & Matrices4h 6m
- 8. Conic Sections2h 23m
- 9. Sequences, Series, & Induction1h 19m
- 10. Combinatorics & Probability1h 45m
7. Systems of Equations & Matrices
Two Variable Systems of Linear Equations
2:56 minutes
Problem 77
Textbook Question
Textbook QuestionUse a system of equations to solve each problem. See Example 8. Find an equation of the line y = ax + b that passes through the points (-2, 1) and (-1, -2).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
System of Equations
A system of equations consists of two or more equations that share common variables. To solve such a system, one seeks values for the variables that satisfy all equations simultaneously. In this context, we will use the coordinates of the given points to create equations that represent the line's slope and y-intercept.
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Slope-Intercept Form
The slope-intercept form of a linear equation is expressed as y = mx + b, where m represents the slope and b the y-intercept. This form is particularly useful for graphing linear equations and understanding their behavior. In this problem, we need to determine the values of a (slope) and b (y-intercept) that define the line passing through the specified points.
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Slope-Intercept Form
Finding the Slope
The slope of a line measures its steepness and direction, calculated as the change in y divided by the change in x between two points. For the points (-2, 1) and (-1, -2), the slope can be found using the formula m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1). This value will be crucial in forming the equation of the line in slope-intercept form.
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