Subject Code Math 2 Intermediate Algebra

Module Code 1.0 Linear Equations in Two Variables (LETV)

Lesson Code 1.5.1 Graphing and Writing LETV Using Point-Slope Form
Time Frame 30 Minutes

TARGET
After this lesson, you should be able to
§ write the equation of a line given its slope and a point on the line, and
§ graph a line using its slope and a point on the line.

HOOK TA: 10 Minutes* ATA**:

You have learned how to write and graph an equation of the line by using its slope and 𝑦-intercept. In this
lesson, you will learn how to write an equation without using the 𝑦-intercept.

HOT-AIR BALLOON 680

The graph on the right shows the 640

(5, 640)
Altitude (meters)

altitude of a hot-air balloon during its

(15, 620)
linear descent. 600

(35, 580)
Write the equation of the line in 560
(45, 560)
slope-intercept form.
520
(Note: The graph doesn’t show the
path of the balloon.)
10 20 30 40 50
Hot-Air Balloon Image Source: https://www.jing.fm/iclipt/ibioJm/ Time(seconds)

Guide Questions: Refer to the graph presented above.

• How can you calculate the slope of the line?
• Why is visual inspection not the best way to determine the 𝑦-intercept?
• How can you determine the exact value of the 𝑦-intercept?

In this lesson, you will explore the Point-Slope Form of a linear equation. This form of linear equation will
provide an easier way to write the equation when the 𝑦-intercept is not provided.

*TA – time allocation suggested by the teacher Mathematics 2 |Page 1 of 5

**ATA – actual time allocation spent by the student (for information purposes only)
© 2020 Philippine Science High School System. All rights reserved. This document may contain proprietary information and may only be
released to third parties with approval of management. Document is uncontrolled unless otherwise marked; uncontrolled documents
are not subject to update notification.
ILLUSTRATION

Figure 5.1 shows a line with slope 𝒎 that passes through a specific point Q(𝒙𝟏 , 𝒚𝟏 ).

𝑄(𝑥! , 𝑦! )

𝑂
Figure 5.1

To find the equation of the line, we can begin by locating on the line any point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) other than (0, 𝑏).

𝑥 − 𝑥!
𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦)
𝑦 − 𝑦!

𝑄(𝑥! , 𝑦! )

The slope of the line is given by any two of its points. You may use the two points 𝑄(𝑥$ , 𝑦$ ) and 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) to
write

𝑦 − 𝑦!
𝑚=
𝑥 − 𝑥!

If both sides are multiplied by 𝑥 − 𝑥$ , then

𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥$ ) = 𝑦 − 𝑦$

or
equation of the line with slope
𝒚 − 𝒚𝟏 = 𝒎(𝒙 − 𝒙𝟏 )
𝑚 that passes through (𝑥$ , 𝑦$ )

*TA – time allocation suggested by the teacher Mathematics 2 |Page 2 of 5

**ATA – actual time allocation spent by the student (for information purposes only)
© 2020 Philippine Science High School System. All rights reserved. This document may contain proprietary information and may only be
released to third parties with approval of management. Document is uncontrolled unless otherwise marked; uncontrolled documents
are not subject to update notification.
 IGNITE TA: 20 Minutes* ATA**:

You can use the slope of a line and any point found on the line to write and graph the equation of the line.

THE POINT-SLOPE FORM OF A LINE

The point-slope form of an equation of a nonvertical line with slope 𝑚 and through point
(𝑥$ , 𝑦$ ) is
𝒚 − 𝒚𝟏 = 𝒎(𝒙 − 𝒙𝟏 )
where 𝒎 is the slope and (𝒙𝟏 , 𝒚𝟏 ) is a point on the line.

Example 1: Writing an Equation in Point-Slope Form

A line passes through (2, −5) and has slope −3. What is the equation of the line?

Solution: 𝒎 = −3, 𝒙𝟏 = 2 and 𝒚𝟏 = −5

𝑦 − (−𝟓) = −𝟑(𝑥 − 𝟐) Substitute (2, −5) for (𝑥$ , 𝑦$ ) and −3 for m

𝑦 + 5 = −3(𝑥 − 2)

Answer: 𝒚 + 𝟓 = −𝟑(𝒙 − 𝟐)

Example 2: Writing an Equation from a Graph (using Two Points)

Write the equation (in point-slope form) of the line shown.
Solution:

You need the slope 𝑚, so start with the slope

formula. Choose two points from the line. Two
points on the line are (−3, −4) and (1, 5).

($)&(&') )
slope=𝑚 = ='
(!)&(&()

Use point-slope form.

𝒚 − 𝒚𝟏 = 𝒎(𝒙 − 𝒙𝟏 )

Use either of the two points chosen for (𝑥$ , 𝑦$ ).

For example, you can choose (1, 5). So 𝑥$ = 1 If you chose the point (−3, −4) instead
and 𝑦$ = 5. of (1, 5), then the equation of the line in
point-slope form is
% 𝟗
Substitute & for 𝑚, 1 for 𝑥$ , and 5 for 𝑦$ . 𝒚 + 𝟒 = (𝒙 + 𝟑)
𝟒
𝟗
Try to rewrite the two equations in slope-
Answer: 𝒚 − 𝟓 = 𝟒 (𝒙 − 𝟏) intercept form. Then compare the two
rewritten equations. What can you
conclude?
*TA – time allocation suggested by the teacher Mathematics 2 |Page 3 of 5
**ATA – actual time allocation spent by the student (for information purposes only)
© 2020 Philippine Science High School System. All rights reserved. This document may contain proprietary information and may only be
released to third parties with approval of management. Document is uncontrolled unless otherwise marked; uncontrolled documents
are not subject to update notification.
 You have learned to write equations of a line using two points by using any of the following
forms:
1. Slope-Intercept Form (Lesson 1.4.1. Example 4); and
2. Point-Slope Form (In this lesson, Example 2)

The operation signs in the Point-Slope Form are minus (𝑦 − 𝑦$ and 𝑥 − 𝑥$ ), so

negative 𝑥$ and 𝑦$ values will change the signs from minus to plus.
$ $
e.g. In the point-slope form 𝑦 + 8 = * (𝑥 + 24), the slope is * and a point is (−8, −24),
not (8, 24).

Example 3: Using a Table to Write an Equation

The table on the right shows the altitude of a hot-air balloon during its Hot-Air Balloon Descent
linear descent. What equation in slope-intercept form gives the balloon’s Time, 𝒙 Altitude, 𝒚
altitude at any time? What do the slope and 𝑦-intercept represent? (s) (m)
10 640
Solution:
30 590
Use two points such as (30, 590) and (70, 490), to find the
slope. 70 490
90 440
490−590 −100 "
𝑚 = 70−30 = 40 = − # 𝑜𝑟 − 2.5
The table gives four
Use point-slope form 𝑦 − 𝑦$ = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥$ ). points. You can use any
two of the points to find
𝑦 − 𝑦$ = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥$ ) Use point-slope form. the slope. Then use point-
slope form.
)
point-slope 𝑦 − 590 = − * (𝑥 − 30) Use data point (30, 590)
form )
and the slope − *
5
𝑦 − 590 = − 𝑥 + 75
2
The slope is expressed
5
𝑦 = − 𝑥 + 75 + 590 as a decimal when the
2 equation represents a real-
slope-intercept ) world situation
𝑦 = − 𝑥 + 665 or 𝑦 = −2.5𝑥 + 665
form *

The slope −2.5 represents the rate of descent of the balloon in meters per second.
The 𝑦-intercept 665 represents the initial altitude of the balloon in meters.

*TA – time allocation suggested by the teacher Mathematics 2 |Page 4 of 5

**ATA – actual time allocation spent by the student (for information purposes only)
© 2020 Philippine Science High School System. All rights reserved. This document may contain proprietary information and may only be
released to third parties with approval of management. Document is uncontrolled unless otherwise marked; uncontrolled documents
are not subject to update notification.
Example 4: Graphing a Linear Equation using the Point-Slope Form

How to Graph LETV using the Slope and a Point on the Line

Step 1: Plot the point.

,-./
Step 2: Use the slope formula 𝑚 = ,01 to find a second point on the line.

Step 3: Draw a line through the two points.

+
Graph the equation 𝑦 + 1 = & (𝑥 + 2).

Solution:

The equation is in point-slope form,

𝑟𝑢𝑛 = 4
𝑦 − 𝑦$ = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥$ ).

A point (𝑥$ , 𝑦$ ) on the line is (−2, −1),

+
and the slope 𝑚 is .
& 𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 = 3

Step 1: Plot the point (−2, −1).

+
Step 2: Use the slope .
&
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 9 ;9
𝑚 = 𝑟𝑢𝑛 = or
: ;:
3
𝑦 + 1 = (𝑥 + 2)
Start at (−2, −1), ‘rise’ UP by 3 units then ‘run’ 4
to the RIGHT by 4 units to locate another point.
Step 3: Draw a line through points (−2, −1) and (2, 2).

REFERENCES:
Albarico, J.M. (2013). THINK Framework. (Based on Ramos, E.G and N. Apolinario (n.d.) Science
LINKS. Quezon City: Rex Bookstore Inc.)
Charles, Randall I.; Hall, Basia; Kennedy, Dan; Bellman, Allan E.; Bragg, Sadoe Chavis; Handlin, William
G.; Murphy, Stuart J.; Wiggins, Grant. (2015). Algebra 1 Common Core. New Jersey: Pearson
Education, Inc.
Hall, B. C., & Fabricant, M. (1993). Algebra 2 with Trigonometry. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Sobel, M. A., & Lerner, N. (2001). Algebra and Trigonometry (5th ed.). Singapore: Pearson Education Asia
Pte Ltd.
-End-

Prepared by: Ronald M. Navalta Reviewed by: Arvin Fajardo

Position: Special Science Teacher III Position: Special Science Teacher III
Campus: PSHS-Cagayan Valley Campus Campus: PSHS-Central Luzon Campus

*TA – time allocation suggested by the teacher Mathematics 2 |Page 5 of 5

**ATA – actual time allocation spent by the student (for information purposes only)
© 2020 Philippine Science High School System. All rights reserved. This document may contain proprietary information and may only be
released to third parties with approval of management. Document is uncontrolled unless otherwise marked; uncontrolled documents
are not subject to update notification.