Using the Given Point and Slope

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 98 views

Introduction

In mathematics, the point-slope form of a linear equation is a powerful tool for describing lines that pass through specific points and have a given slope. This form is particularly useful when we know the coordinates of two points on the line and the slope of the line. In this article, we will explore how to write the equation of a line in point-slope form using the given points and slope.

Understanding the Problem

We are given two points on the line: $(2,2)$ and $(-1,20)$ . The slope of the line is given as $m = -6$ . Our goal is to write the equation of this line in point-slope form using the point $(2,2)$ .

Recalling the Point-Slope Form

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

y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)

where $(x_1, y_1)$ is a point on the line and $m$ is the slope of the line.

Using the Given Point and Slope

We are given the point $(2,2)$ and the slope $m = -6$ . We can substitute these values into the point-slope form:

y - 2 = -6(x - 2)

Simplifying the Equation

To simplify the equation, we can expand the right-hand side:

y - 2 = -6x + 12

Rearranging the Terms

We can rearrange the terms to put the equation in slope-intercept form:

y = -6x + 14

Conclusion

In this article, we have shown how to write the equation of a line in point-slope form using the given points and slope. We have used the point-slope form to derive the equation of the line and simplified it to put it in slope-intercept form. This process has provided us with a clear understanding of how to use the point-slope form to describe lines in mathematics.

Example 1: Writing the Equation of a Line in Point-Slope Form

Suppose we are given the points $(3,5)$ and $(1,10)$ , and the slope $m = 2$ . How would we write the equation of this line in point-slope form using the point $(3,5)$ ?

Solution

We can use the point-slope form and substitute the given values:

y - 5 = 2(x - 3)

Expanding the right-hand side, we get:

y - 5 = 2x - 6

Rearranging the terms, we get:

y = 2x - 1

Example 2: Writing the Equation of a Line in Point-Slope Form

Suppose we are given the points $(4,7)$ and $(2,12)$ , and the slope $m = -3$ . How would we write the equation of this line in point-slope form using the point $(4,7)$ ?

Solution

We can use the point-slope form and substitute the given values:

y - 7 = -3(x - 4)

Expanding the right-hand side, we get:

y - 7 = -3x + 12

Rearranging the terms, we get:

y = -3x + 19

Applications of Point-Slope Form

The point-slope form has numerous applications in mathematics and real-world problems. Some of the key applications include:

Graphing lines: The point-slope form is particularly useful for graphing lines that pass through specific points and have a given slope.
Solving systems of equations: The point-slope form can be used to solve systems of linear equations by substituting the equation of one line into the other.
Finding the equation of a tangent line: The point-slope form can be used to find the equation of a tangent line to a curve at a given point.

Conclusion

Q&A: Writing the Equation of a Line in Point-Slope Form

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

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

y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)

where $(x_1, y_1)$ is a point on the line and $m$ is the slope of the line.

Q: How do I write the equation of a line in point-slope form using the given points and slope?

A: To write the equation of a line in point-slope form, you need to substitute the given values into the point-slope form. For example, if you are given the points $(2,2)$ and $(-1,20)$ , and the slope $m = -6$ , you can substitute these values into the point-slope form:

y - 2 = -6(x - 2)

Q: How do I simplify the equation in point-slope form?

A: To simplify the equation in point-slope form, you can expand the right-hand side and rearrange the terms. For example, if you have the equation:

y - 2 = -6(x - 2)

You can expand the right-hand side and rearrange the terms to get:

y = -6x + 14

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing the equation of a line in point-slope form?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when writing the equation of a line in point-slope form include:

Not substituting the given values into the point-slope form: Make sure to substitute the given values into the point-slope form to get the correct equation.
Not expanding the right-hand side: Make sure to expand the right-hand side of the equation to simplify it.
Not rearranging the terms: Make sure to rearrange the terms to put the equation in slope-intercept form.

Q: What are some real-world applications of the point-slope form?

A: The point-slope form has numerous real-world applications, including:

Graphing lines: The point-slope form is particularly useful for graphing lines that pass through specific points and have a given slope.
Solving systems of equations: The point-slope form can be used to solve systems of linear equations by substituting the equation of one line into the other.
Finding the equation of a tangent line: The point-slope form can be used to find the equation of a tangent line to a curve at a given point.

Q: How do I use the point-slope form to solve systems of linear equations?

A: To use the point-slope form to solve systems of linear equations, you can substitute the equation of one line into the other. For example, if you have the system of equations:

y = 2x + 3

y = -x + 5

You can substitute the equation of the first line into the second line to get:

2x + 3 = -x + 5

Solving for $x$ , you get:

x = -2

Substituting this value into one of the original equations, you get:

y = 2(-2) + 3

y = -1

Therefore, the solution to the system of equations is $(-2, -1)$ .

Q: How do I use the point-slope form to find the equation of a tangent line?

A: To use the point-slope form to find the equation of a tangent line, you can use the point-slope form and substitute the values of the point and the slope of the tangent line. For example, if you have a curve with the equation:

y = x^2 + 3x - 4

And you want to find the equation of the tangent line at the point $(2, 12)$ , you can use the point-slope form and substitute the values:

y - 12 = m(x - 2)

Finding the derivative of the curve, you get:

m = 2x + 3

Substituting this value into the point-slope form, you get:

y - 12 = (2x + 3)(x - 2)

Expanding the right-hand side, you get:

y - 12 = 2x^2 + x - 6

Rearranging the terms, you get:

y = 2x^2 + x - 6

Therefore, the equation of the tangent line is $y = 2x^2 + x - 6$ .