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You know in that slope formula y = mx + b , after you plug in the x and y coordinates and solve for b (y intercept), how come you leave the final equation with the original x and y coordinates in letter/variable form instead of leaving the actual numbers plugged in? For example, why do u leave a final equation at y = 1/2x + 1, instead of at 0 = -1/2(2) + 1 ??

2007-02-10 04:47:02 · 4 answers · asked by World Expert 1 in Education & Reference Homework Help

4 answers

y = mx + b is the equation of a line. There is more than one point on the same line. Your example is only for one point. We use the equation to find other points on the same line.The slope formula is the difference in the y values divided by the difference in the x values of 2 points on the same line.

2007-02-10 05:31:38 · answer #1 · answered by dpirsq2 5 · 0 0

the second expression is simply a statment saying that 0= -1+1. There is not a whole lot of useful information in saying that 0 = 0.
y=1/2x+1 is describing a line. A line with a slope of 1/2 (meaning it changes vertically half as fast as it changes horizonally and it slopes in a positive direction) and it happens to cross the Y axis at 1.
You solve the expresson by plugging in known values simply because you want to solve for unknown values. It's just an intermediate step.

2007-02-10 04:56:58 · answer #2 · answered by PH 5 · 0 0

well i took algebra last year, and from what i remember i think they left the original equation like that so you could just plug in the numbers later.

0 = -1/2(2) + 1
that would be that ACTUAL equation to solve it, they probably just want the formula.

they might just want it without the numbers in, and just have the flat formula, i guess..

2007-02-10 04:58:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

because that is how you know how to plot the line. With out it well, you wouldn't be able to plot the line or get the data you need.

2007-02-10 05:26:15 · answer #4 · answered by toocool4you2night 1 · 0 0

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