How to find the equation of a line

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GRE Quantitative Reasoning › How to find the equation of a line

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1

What is the equation of the line passing through (–1,5) and the upper-right corner of a square with a center at the origin and a perimeter of 22?

y = (3/5)x + 22/5

0

y = (–3/5)x + 22/5

CORRECT

y = (–3/5)x + 28/5

0

y = (–1/5)x + 2.75

0

y = –x + 5

0

Explanation

If the square has a perimeter of 22, each side is 22/4 or 5.5. This means that the upper-right corner is (2.75, 2.75)—remember that each side will be "split in half" by the x and y axes.

Using the two points we have, we can ascertain our line's equation by using the point-slope formula. Let us first get our slope:

m = rise/run = (2.75 – 5)/(2.75 + 1) = –2.25/3.75 = –(9/4)/(15/4) = –9/15 = –3/5.

The point-slope form is: y – y0 = m(x – x0). Based on our data this is: y – 5 = (–3/5)(x + 1); Simplifying, we get: y = (–3/5)x – (3/5) + 5; y = (–3/5)x + 22/5

2

Let y = 3_x_ – 6.

At what point does the line above intersect the following:

They do not intersect

0

They intersect at all points

CORRECT

(0,–1)

0

(–5,6)

0

(–3,–3)

0

Explanation

If we rearrange the second equation it is the same as the first equation. They are the same line.

3

What line goes through the points (1, 3) and (3, 6)?

3x + 5y = 2

0

2x – 3y = 5

0

4x – 5y = 4

0

–3x + 2y = 3

CORRECT

–2x + 2y = 3

0

Explanation

If P1(1, 3) and P2(3, 6), then calculate the slope by m = rise/run = (y2 – y1)/(x2 – x1) = 3/2

Use the slope and one point to calculate the intercept using y = mx + b

Then convert the slope-intercept form into standard form.

4

What is the equation of a line passing through with a -intercept of ?

CORRECT

0

0

0

0

Explanation

Based on the information that you have been provided, you can quickly find the slope of your line. Since the y-intercept is , you know that the line contains the point . Therefore, the slope of the line is found:

Based on this information, you can use the standard slope-intercept form to find your equation:

, where and

5

What is the slope-intercept form of \dpi{100} \small 8x-2y-12=0?

\dpi{100} \small y=4x-6

CORRECT

\dpi{100} \small y=4x+6

0

\dpi{100} \small y=2x-3

0

\dpi{100} \small y=-4x+6

0

\dpi{100} \small y=-2x+3

0

Explanation

The slope intercept form states that \dpi{100} \small y=mx+b. In order to convert the equation to the slope intercept form, isolate \dpi{100} \small y on the left side:

\dpi{100} \small 8x-2y=12

\dpi{100} \small -2y=-8x+12

\dpi{100} \small y=4x-6

6

Which of the following equations does NOT represent a line?

CORRECT

0

0

0

0

Explanation

The answer is .

A line can only be represented in the form or , for appropriate constants , , and . A graph must have an equation that can be put into one of these forms to be a line.

represents a parabola, not a line. Lines will never contain an term.

7

Given the graph of the line below, find the equation of the line.

Act_math_160_04

0

0

CORRECT

0

Explanation

To solve this question, you could use two points such as (1.2,0) and (0,-4) to calculate the slope which is 10/3 and then read the y-intercept off the graph, which is -4.

8

What is the equation of the straight line passing through (–2, 5) with an x-intercept of 3?

y = –x + 3

CORRECT

y = –5x + 3

0

y = –x – 3

0

y = –5x – 3

0

Explanation

First you must figure out what point has an x-intercept of 3. This means the line crosses the x-axis at 3 and has no rise or fall on the y-axis which is equivalent to (3, 0). Now you use the formula (y2 – y1)/(x2 – x1) to determine the slope of the line which is (5 – 0)/(–2 – 3) or –1. Now substitute a point known on the line (such as (–2, 5) or (3, 0)) to determine the y-intercept of the equation y = –x + b. b = 3 so the entire equation is y = –x + 3.

Gre_quant_179_01

9

What is the equation of a line passing through the two points and ?

CORRECT

0

0

0

0

Explanation

Based on the information provided, you can find the slope of this line easily. From that, you can use the point-slope form of the equation of a line to compute the line's full equation. The slope is merely:

Now, for a point and a slope , the point-slope form of a line is:

Let's use for our point

This gives us:

Now, distribute and solve for :

10

What is the equation of a line passing through the points and ?

CORRECT

0

0

0

0

Explanation

Based on the information provided, you can find the slope of this line easily. From that, you can use the point-slope form of the equation of a line to compute the line's full equation. The slope is merely:

Now, for a point and a slope , the point-slope form of a line is:

Let's use for our point

This gives us:

Now, distribute and solve for :