Converting to General Form

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 97 views

Introduction

In mathematics, the equation of a line can be expressed in various forms, including the slope-intercept form, point-slope form, and general form. The general form of a line is given by the equation Ax + By = C, where A, B, and C are integers. In this article, we will focus on writing an equation in general form for a line that passes through a given point and has a specified slope.

The Point-Slope Form of a Line

The point-slope form of a line is given by the equation y - y1 = m(x - x1), where (x1, y1) is a point on the line and m is the slope of the line. This form is useful when we know the slope of the line and a point on the line. We can use this form to write an equation for the line and then convert it to the general form.

The Given Point and Slope

In this problem, we are given a point (-9, 7) and a slope of 3/1. We can use the point-slope form to write an equation for the line and then convert it to the general form.

Writing the Equation in Point-Slope Form

Using the point-slope form, we can write an equation for the line as follows:

y - 7 = (3/1)(x - (-9))

Simplifying the equation, we get:

y - 7 = 3(x + 9)

Distributing the Slope

To simplify the equation further, we can distribute the slope to the terms inside the parentheses:

y - 7 = 3x + 27

Adding 7 to Both Sides

To isolate the y-term, we can add 7 to both sides of the equation:

y = 3x + 34

Converting to General Form

Now that we have the equation in slope-intercept form, we can convert it to the general form by multiplying both sides of the equation by -1:

-3x - y = -34

Writing the Equation in General Form

The equation -3x - y = -34 is in the general form Ax + By = C, where A = -3, B = -1, and C = -34.

Conclusion

Example 1: Writing an Equation in General Form for a Line with a Given Point and Slope

Suppose we are given a point (2, 5) and a slope of 2/3. We can use the point-slope form to write an equation for the line and then convert it to the general form.

Step 1: Write the Equation in Point-Slope Form

Using the point-slope form, we can write an equation for the line as follows:

y - 5 = (2/3)(x - 2)

Step 2: Simplify the Equation

Simplifying the equation, we get:

y - 5 = (2/3)x - 4/3

Step 3: Distribute the Slope

To simplify the equation further, we can distribute the slope to the terms inside the parentheses:

y - 5 = (2/3)x - 4/3

Step 4: Add 5 to Both Sides

To isolate the y-term, we can add 5 to both sides of the equation:

y = (2/3)x + 17/3

Step 5: Convert to General Form

Now that we have the equation in slope-intercept form, we can convert it to the general form by multiplying both sides of the equation by -3:

-2x - 3y = -34

Step 6: Write the Equation in General Form

The equation -2x - 3y = -34 is in the general form Ax + By = C, where A = -2, B = -3, and C = -34.

Conclusion

In this example, we have shown how to write an equation in general form for a line that passes through a given point and has a specified slope. We used the point-slope form to write an equation for the line and then converted it to the general form. The resulting equation is -2x - 3y = -34, where A = -2, B = -3, and C = -34.

Example 2: Writing an Equation in General Form for a Line with a Given Point and Slope

Suppose we are given a point (-4, 3) and a slope of -2/3. We can use the point-slope form to write an equation for the line and then convert it to the general form.

Step 1: Write the Equation in Point-Slope Form

Using the point-slope form, we can write an equation for the line as follows:

y - 3 = (-2/3)(x - (-4))

Step 2: Simplify the Equation

Simplifying the equation, we get:

y - 3 = (-2/3)x - 8/3

Step 3: Distribute the Slope

To simplify the equation further, we can distribute the slope to the terms inside the parentheses:

y - 3 = (-2/3)x - 8/3

Step 4: Add 3 to Both Sides

To isolate the y-term, we can add 3 to both sides of the equation:

y = (-2/3)x + 7/3

Step 5: Convert to General Form

Now that we have the equation in slope-intercept form, we can convert it to the general form by multiplying both sides of the equation by -3:

2x + 3y = 14

Step 6: Write the Equation in General Form

The equation 2x + 3y = 14 is in the general form Ax + By = C, where A = 2, B = 3, and C = 14.

Conclusion

In this article, we have shown how to write an equation in general form for a line that passes through a given point and has a specified slope. We used the point-slope form to write an equation for the line and then converted it to the general form. The resulting equation is -3x - y = -34, where A = -3, B = -1, and C = -34. We also provided two examples of writing an equation in general form for a line with a given point and slope. The resulting equations are -2x - 3y = -34 and 2x + 3y = 14, where A = -2, B = -3, C = -34 and A = 2, B = 3, C = 14 respectively.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed how to write an equation in general form for a line that passes through a given point and has a specified slope. We used the point-slope form to write an equation for the line and then converted it to the general form. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to help clarify any doubts and provide additional examples.

Q: What is the general form of a line?

A: The general form of a line is given by the equation Ax + By = C, where A, B, and C are integers.

Q: How do I write an equation in general form for a line that passes through a given point and has a specified slope?

A: To write an equation in general form for a line that passes through a given point and has a specified slope, you can use the point-slope form to write an equation for the line and then convert it to the general form.

Q: What is the point-slope form of a line?

A: The point-slope form of a line is given by the equation y - y1 = m(x - x1), where (x1, y1) is a point on the line and m is the slope of the line.

Q: How do I convert an equation from point-slope form to general form?

A: To convert an equation from point-slope form to general form, you can multiply both sides of the equation by -1 and then simplify the resulting equation.

Q: What are some examples of writing an equation in general form for a line with a given point and slope?

A: Here are a few examples:

Suppose we are given a point (2, 5) and a slope of 2/3. We can use the point-slope form to write an equation for the line and then convert it to the general form: -2x - 3y = -34.
Suppose we are given a point (-4, 3) and a slope of -2/3. We can use the point-slope form to write an equation for the line and then convert it to the general form: 2x + 3y = 14.

Q: What are some tips for writing an equation in general form for a line with a given point and slope?

A: Here are a few tips:

Make sure to use the correct point and slope in the point-slope form.
Simplify the equation as much as possible before converting it to general form.
Use the correct signs for the coefficients A, B, and C in the general form.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing an equation in general form for a line with a given point and slope?

A: Here are a few common mistakes to avoid:

Failing to use the correct point and slope in the point-slope form.
Not simplifying the equation enough before converting it to general form.
Using the wrong signs for the coefficients A, B, and C in the general form.

Conclusion

In this article, we have provided a Q&A section to help clarify any doubts and provide additional examples for writing an equation in general form for a line that passes through a given point and has a specified slope. We hope this article has been helpful in understanding how to write an equation in general form for a line with a given point and slope.

Example 1: Writing an Equation in General Form for a Line with a Given Point and Slope

Suppose we are given a point (1, 2) and a slope of 1/2. We can use the point-slope form to write an equation for the line and then convert it to the general form.

Step 1: Write the Equation in Point-Slope Form

Using the point-slope form, we can write an equation for the line as follows:

y - 2 = (1/2)(x - 1)

Step 2: Simplify the Equation

Simplifying the equation, we get:

y - 2 = (1/2)x - 1/2

Step 3: Distribute the Slope

To simplify the equation further, we can distribute the slope to the terms inside the parentheses:

y - 2 = (1/2)x - 1/2

Step 4: Add 2 to Both Sides

To isolate the y-term, we can add 2 to both sides of the equation:

y = (1/2)x + 3/2

Step 5: Convert to General Form

Now that we have the equation in slope-intercept form, we can convert it to the general form by multiplying both sides of the equation by -2:

-2y = -x - 3

Step 6: Write the Equation in General Form

The equation -2y = -x - 3 is in the general form Ax + By = C, where A = -1, B = 2, and C = 3.

Conclusion

Example 2: Writing an Equation in General Form for a Line with a Given Point and Slope

Suppose we are given a point (-2, 1) and a slope of -1/2. We can use the point-slope form to write an equation for the line and then convert it to the general form.

Step 1: Write the Equation in Point-Slope Form

Using the point-slope form, we can write an equation for the line as follows:

y - 1 = (-1/2)(x - (-2))

Step 2: Simplify the Equation

Simplifying the equation, we get:

y - 1 = (-1/2)x - 1

Step 3: Distribute the Slope

To simplify the equation further, we can distribute the slope to the terms inside the parentheses:

y - 1 = (-1/2)x - 1

Step 4: Add 1 to Both Sides

To isolate the y-term, we can add 1 to both sides of the equation:

y = (-1/2)x

Step 5: Convert to General Form

Now that we have the equation in slope-intercept form, we can convert it to the general form by multiplying both sides of the equation by -2:

2y = x

Step 6: Write the Equation in General Form

The equation 2y = x is in the general form Ax + By = C, where A = 1, B = -2, and C = 0.