Writing Linear Equations

Mr. Soto
March 5, 2007

1
Write the equation of a line that has a slope of and
2
passes through (-1, 2)
Step 1
1
Since the slope is given, substitute for m in y = mx + b.
2
1
y = x+b
2

Step 2
1
Compute the y-intercept. Substitute the point (-1, 2) into y = x + b, then
2
solve for b. Given the point (-1, 2), x = −1 and y = 2:
1
y = x+b
2
1
2 = (−1) + b
2
1
2=− +b
2
1
2 =b
2

1
Step 3
Write the equation of the line by substituting the values you computed for
1 1
m and b in y = mx + b. Since m = and b = 2 , y = mx + b becomes
2 2
1 1
y = x+2 .
2 2

Exercises
Write the equation of the line that has the given slope and passes through
the given point.

1. m = 5; (5, 5)

2. m = 10; (-1, -4)

1
3. m = ; (1, 6)
2

3
4. m = ; (8, 4)
4

5. m = 2; (4, 8)