Lesson 5-1

Writing Equations in Slope-Intercept Form

Today’s Goals
Explore  Slope-Intercept Form ● Write an equation of a
line in slope-intercept
form given the slope
 nline Activity Use graphing technology to complete
O and one point.
the Explore.
● Write an equation of a
line in slope-intercept
 INQUIRY How does changing the coordinates form given two points.
of two points on a line affect the slope of the
line?

Learn  Creating Linear Equations in Slope-Intercept Think About It!

Form Given the Slope and a Point How can you determine
whether the given point
If you are given the slope of a line and the coordinates of any point on is the y-intercept of the
that line, you can create an equation for that line. line?

Key Concept • Creating Equations in Slope-Intercept Form Given the

Sample answer: The
Slope and a Point y-intercept is the point
Step 1 Determine whether the given point is the y-intercept. If not, where the line crosses the
substitute the given information into the slope-intercept y-axis, so the x-coordinate
form equation to find the y-intercept. of the y-intercept will always
Step 2 Use the given slope and y-intercept you found in Step 1 to be 0. If the x-coordinate of
write the equation of the line in slope-intercept form. the given point is not 0, then
it is not the y-intercept.
Example 1  Write an Equation Given the Slope
and a Point Think About It!
What does it mean if
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Write an equation of the line that passes through (−8, 6) and has a
3 b = 0 when an
slope of −​​ __
4  ​​. equation is written in
Step 1 Find the y-intercept. slope-intercept form?
y = mx + b Slope-intercept form Sample answer: The graph
3
__

3
6 = − ​​ _ m = − ​​  4 ​​ , x = −8 , and y = 6 passes through the origin.
4 ​​ (−8) + b
6= 6 + b Simplify.

0 = b Subtract 6 from each side. Study Tip

Slope-Intercept Form
Step 2 Write the equation in slope-intercept form.
Remember, you need
y = mx + b Slope-intercept form two things to write an
__ 3 equation in slope-
3
y = − ​​ _
4 ​​ x + 0 m = − ​​  4 ​​ and b = 0
intercept form: the slope
y= − ​​ __34  ​​ x Simplify. and the y-intercept.
Go Online You can complete an Extra Example online.

Lesson 5-1 • Writing Equations in Slope-Intercept Form 287

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 Your Notes
Study Tip
Slope When determining
the slope, words like
“drops” and “decreasing”
represent a negative
slope, and words like
“growing” and
“increasing” represent a
positive slope.
Think About It!
Find the domain of your
equation, and describe
the meaning in the
context of the situation.
Sample answer: The
domain is all real numbers
from 0 to 9 minutes. The
domain cannot be negative
in the context of the
situation.
288 Module 5 • Creating Linear Equations
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Example 2  Write an Equation in
Slope-Intercept Form
BAKING Marissa is baking a recipe that calls for her to turn down the
temperature on her oven for part of the baking time. Write an equation
to represent the situation if the temperature in her oven drops 25°F
every 30 seconds, and after 2 minutes the temperature is 350°F.
Step 1 Determine a point on the line and the slope.
After 2 minutes the temperature is 350 °F.
Let x = the time in minutes and y = the temperature in °F.
So, the point ( 2 , 350   ) is on the line.
The temperature drops 25 °F every 30 seconds .
The change in x is 30 seconds, or 0.5 minute.
“Drops” means a negative change, so the change in y is
−25 °F.
​​ ____
−25
change in y
________ ​​ =
Slope = ​​  change in x   0.5   ​​ or −50°F per minute.
So, the slope is −50 .
Step 2 Find the y-intercept.
y = mx + b Slope-intercept form
350 = −50 (2) + b m = −50, x = 2, and y = 350
350 = −100 + b Simplify.
450 = b Add 100 to each side.
450 °F
This means that the temperature of the oven was
when it was turned off.
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Step 3 Write the equation in slope-intercept form.
y = mx + b Slope-intercept form
y = −50x + 450 m = −50 and b = 450
Check
MEMBERSHIP The total monthly cost of Ayzha’s gym membership
increases by $5 per class she attends. After signing up for 4 classes
one month, her total cost is $49.99. Which equation represents
Ayzha’s total monthly cost y after attending x classes? C
A. y = −5x + 29.99 B. y = −5x + 69.99
C. y = 5x + 29.99 D. y = 5x + 69.99
Go Online You can complete an Extra Example online.
 Learn  Creating Linear Equations in Slope-Intercept
Form Given Two Points
Talk About It!
If you are given the coordinates of any two points on a line, you can
Will your equation for
create an equation for that line.
the line be different
Key Concept • Creating Equations in Slope-Intercept Form Given depending on the point
you choose in Step 2?
Two Points
Justify your argument.
Step 1 Use the given points to find the slope of the line
containing the points. No; sample answer: the
slope and y-intercept
Step 2 Use the slope from Step 1 and either of the given points
will be the same so the
to find the y-intercept of the line.
equation for the line will
Step 3 Use the slope you found in Step 1 and the y-intercept you not change.
found in Step 2 to write the equation of the line in slope-
intercept form.

Watch Out!
Example 3  Write Equations Given Two Points Subtraction If the
(x1, y1) coordinates are
Write an equation of the line that passes through (1.2, −0.7) and
negative, be sure to
(−3.4, 1.6). account for both the
Step 1  Find the slope. negative signs and the
​y​ 2​​ − ​y​ 1​​ subtraction symbols in
m = ______ ​​
​​  ​x​  ​​ − ​x​  ​​   Slope Formula the Slope Formula.
2 1
Remember, the result
1.6 − (−0.7)
m = ________
​​  −3.4 − 1.2 ​​ 
(x1 , y1) = (1.2, −0.7), (x2, y2) = (−3.4, 1.6) of subtracting a
negative number is the
2.3 same as adding its
m = ____
​​  -4.6  ​​   Simplify. opposite.

m= − 0.5 Simplify.

Step 2 Use either point to find the y-intercept.

y = mx + b Slope-intercept form
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1.6 = −0.5(−3.4) + b m= −0.5 , x = −3.4 , and y = 1.6

1.6 = 1.7 + b Simplify.

-0.1 = b Subtract 1.7 from each side.

Step 3 Write the equation in slope-intercept form.

y = mx + b Slope-intercept form

y = −0.5x - 0.1 m= −0.5 and b = −0.1

Check
Write an equation of the line that passes through (-5, -3) and (-7, -12).
9 39
y = __
​​  2  ​​ x + ___
​​  2  ​​

Go Online You can complete an Extra Example online.

Lesson 5-1 • Writing Equations in Slope-Intercept Form 289

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Think About It!
Use the table to make
an estimate of the
number of students
enrolled in public high
schools in 2030. Then,
use the equation to
predict the number of
students enrolled. How
does your estimate
compare to the number
of students that you
calculated?
Sample answer: I would
estimate about 15,500,000
students from the table.
From the equation I would
predict 15,523,250
students. My estimate is
close to the number of
students I calculated from
the equation.
Problem-Solving Tip
Use a Graph You can
also estimate and make
predictions using a
graph. Plot two points
from the table, connect
them with a line, and
then estimate using
the graph.
Study Tip
Units The number of
students enrolled is in
thousands. While it is
impossible to have one-
quarter of a student,
14,708.25 thousand
students really means
14,708,250 students. So,
this solution is within the
constraints of the situation.
290 Module 5 • Creating Linear Equations
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Apply Example 4  Write an Equation Given
Real-World Data
SCHOOLS The number of students
Year Students
enrolled in public high schools in the
(in thousands)
United States has risen slightly since 2010.
Write an equation that could be used to 2011 14,749
predict the number of students enrolled in 2012 14,753
public high schools if enrollment continues 2013 14,754
to grow at the same rate. 2014 14,826
2015 14,912
1. What is the task?
Describe the task in your own words. Then list any questions that you
may have. How can you find answers to your questions?
Sample answer: I need to write an equation to predict enrollment in public
high schools. How can I write an equation when given a table? I can review
finding rate of change and writing equations in slope-intercept form.
2. How will you approach the task? What have you learned that
you can use to help you complete the task?
Sample answer: I will use what I have learned about finding the rate of
change from a table to help me find the slope. I will then use the slope and
one of the points to find the y-intercept. I will use what I have learned about
writing equations in slope-intercept form to write an equation.
3. What is your solution?
Use your strategy to solve the problem.
Find the slope.
m= 40.75
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Find the y-intercept.
b= 14,708.25
Write an equation to predict the number of students enrolled in public
high schools if enrollment continues to grow at the same rate.
y = 40.75x + 14,708.25
4. How can you know that your solution is reasonable?
Write About It! Write an argument that can be used to defend
your solution.
Sample answer: For the year 2015, x = 5. I substituted x = 5 into my
equation to check my solution, and the result matched the number of
students enrolled in 2015.
Go Online You can complete an Extra Example online.