Finding the Equation of the New Line

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 59 views

Introduction

In mathematics, linear equations are a fundamental concept that describe a relationship between two variables. The slope-intercept form and point-slope form are two ways to represent linear equations. In this article, we will explore how to write an equation representing a different line with the same slope that passes through a given point.

Understanding Slope-Intercept Form

The slope-intercept form of a linear equation is given by:

y = mx + b

where:

m is the slope of the line
b is the y-intercept

The slope-intercept form is useful for graphing lines and finding the equation of a line given its slope and y-intercept.

Understanding Point-Slope Form

The point-slope form of a linear equation is given by:

y - y1 = m(x - x1)

where:

(x1, y1) is a point on the line
m is the slope of the line

The point-slope form is useful for finding the equation of a line given a point and the slope.

Given Line and Point

The given line is represented by the equation:

y + 4 = \frac{2}{5}(x - 9)

We are asked to find an equation representing a different line with the same slope that passes through the point (3, 6).

Finding the Slope

To find the slope of the given line, we can rewrite the equation in slope-intercept form:

y + 4 = \frac{2}{5}(x - 9)

Subtracting 4 from both sides gives:

y = \frac{2}{5}(x - 9) - 4

Expanding the right-hand side gives:

y = \frac{2}{5}x - \frac{18}{5} - 4

Combining like terms gives:

y = \frac{2}{5}x - \frac{38}{5}

The slope of the line is \frac{2}{5}.

Finding the Equation of the New Line

We are given the point (3, 6) and the slope \frac{2}{5}. We can use the point-slope form to find the equation of the new line:

y - 6 = \frac{2}{5}(x - 3)

Simplifying the Equation

To simplify the equation, we can multiply both sides by 5 to eliminate the fraction:

5(y - 6) = 2(x - 3)

Expanding the left-hand side gives:

5y - 30 = 2x - 6

Adding 30 to both sides gives:

5y = 2x + 24

Dividing both sides by 5 gives:

y = \frac{2}{5}x + \frac{24}{5}

Conclusion

In this article, we have seen how to write an equation representing a different line with the same slope that passes through a given point. We have used the slope-intercept form and point-slope form to find the equation of the new line. The final equation is:

y = \frac{2}{5}x + \frac{24}{5}

This equation represents a line with the same slope as the given line, but with a different y-intercept.

Example Use Cases

Graphing Lines: The equation y = \frac{2}{5}x + \frac{24}{5} can be used to graph a line with a slope of \frac{2}{5} and a y-intercept of \frac{24}{5}.
Finding the Equation of a Line: The equation y = \frac{2}{5}x + \frac{24}{5} can be used to find the equation of a line given a point and the slope.
Solving Systems of Equations: The equation y = \frac{2}{5}x + \frac{24}{5} can be used to solve systems of equations involving linear equations with the same slope.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect Slope: Make sure to find the correct slope of the given line.
Incorrect Point: Make sure to use the correct point to find the equation of the new line.
Incorrect Equation: Make sure to simplify the equation correctly to find the final equation.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored how to write an equation representing a different line with the same slope that passes through a given point. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about linear equations and slope.

Q: What is the slope-intercept form of a linear equation?

A: The slope-intercept form of a linear equation is given by:

y = mx + b

where:

m is the slope of the line
b is the y-intercept

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

A: The point-slope form of a linear equation is given by:

y - y1 = m(x - x1)

where:

(x1, y1) is a point on the line
m is the slope of the line

Q: How do I find the slope of a line?

A: To find the slope of a line, you can use the slope-intercept form of a linear equation:

y = mx + b

The slope (m) is the coefficient of x.

Q: How do I find the equation of a line given a point and the slope?

A: To find the equation of a line given a point and the slope, you can use the point-slope form of a linear equation:

y - y1 = m(x - x1)

where:

(x1, y1) is a point on the line
m is the slope of the line

Q: What is the difference between the slope-intercept form and the point-slope form?

A: The slope-intercept form is useful for graphing lines and finding the equation of a line given its slope and y-intercept. The point-slope form is useful for finding the equation of a line given a point and the slope.

Q: Can I use the slope-intercept form to find the equation of a line given a point and the slope?

A: Yes, you can use the slope-intercept form to find the equation of a line given a point and the slope. However, you will need to use the point-slope form to find the equation of a line given a point and the slope.

Q: How do I simplify an equation?

A: To simplify an equation, you can use the following steps:

Combine like terms
Eliminate fractions by multiplying both sides of the equation by a common denominator
Use the distributive property to expand expressions

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when working with linear equations?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when working with linear equations include:

Incorrect slope
Incorrect point
Incorrect equation
Not simplifying the equation correctly

Q: How do I use linear equations in real-world applications?

A: Linear equations are used in a variety of real-world applications, including:

Graphing lines
Finding the equation of a line given a point and the slope
Solving systems of equations
Modeling real-world situations

Conclusion

In conclusion, linear equations and slope are fundamental concepts in mathematics. By understanding the slope-intercept form and point-slope form, you can find the equation of a line given a point and the slope. Remember to avoid common mistakes and use linear equations in real-world applications.

Example Use Cases

Graphing Lines: Use the slope-intercept form to graph a line with a slope of \frac{2}{5} and a y-intercept of \frac{24}{5}.
Finding the Equation of a Line: Use the point-slope form to find the equation of a line given a point (3, 6) and a slope of \frac{2}{5}.
Solving Systems of Equations: Use linear equations to solve systems of equations involving linear equations with the same slope.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect Slope: Make sure to find the correct slope of the given line.
Incorrect Point: Make sure to use the correct point to find the equation of the new line.
Incorrect Equation: Make sure to simplify the equation correctly to find the final equation.