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2.4 Writing Equations of Lines

GOAL 1 WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONS
What you should learn
GOAL 1 Write linear In Lesson 2.3 you learned to find the slope and y-intercept of a line whose equation
equations. is given. In this lesson you will study the reverse process. That is, you will learn to
GOAL 2 Write direct write an equation of a line using one of the following: the slope and y-intercept of the
variation equations, as line, the slope and a point on the line, or two points on the line.
applied in Example 7.
CONCEPT
Why you should learn it SUMMARY
W R I T I N G A N E Q UAT I O N O F A L I N E

 To model real-life SLOPE-INTERCEPT FORM Given the slope m and the y-intercept b,
quantities, such as the
use this equation:
number of calories you
burn while dancing y = mx + b
in Ex. 64. POINT-SLOPE FORM Given the slope m and a point (x1, y1), use this equation:
AL LI
FE
RE

y º y1 = m(x º x1)
TWO POINTS Given two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), use the formula
2 y ºy
1
m= 
x2 º x1
to find the slope m. Then use the point-slope form with this slope and either
of the given points to write an equation of the line.

Every nonvertical line has only one slope and one y-intercept, so the slope-intercept
form is unique. The point-slope form, however, depends on the point that is used.
Therefore, in this book equations of lines will be simplified to slope-intercept form
so a unique solution may be given.

EXAMPLE 1 Writing an Equation Given the Slope and the y-intercept

Write an equation of the line shown. y

SOLUTION 1
3 3
From the graph you can see that the slope is m = . You (0, 1) 3 x
2
2
can also see that the line intersects the y-axis at the point 3
(0, º1), so the y-intercept is b = º1. m 2

Because you know the slope and the y-intercept, you

should use the slope-intercept form to write an equation of the line.
y = mx + b Use slope-intercept form.
3 3
y = x º 1 Substitute }} for m and º1 for b.
2
2

 3
An equation of the line is y = x º 1.
2

2.4 Writing Equations of Lines 91

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EXAMPLE 2 Writing an Equation Given the Slope and a Point

1
Write an equation of the line that passes through (2, 3) and has a slope of º.
2
SOLUTION
Because you know the slope and a point on the line, you should use the point-slope
1
form to write an equation of the line. Let (x1, y1) = (2, 3) and m = º.
2
y º y1 = m(x º x1) Use point-slope form.
1
y º 3 = º(x º 2) Substitute for m, x1, and y1.
2
Once you have used the point-slope form to find an equation, you can simplify the
result to the slope-intercept form.
1
y º 3 = º(x º 2) Write point-slope form.
2
1
y º 3 = º x + 1 Distributive property
2
1
y = ºx + 4 Write in slope-intercept form.
2
✓CHECK You can check the result graphically. Draw the y
line that passes through the point (2, 3) with a slope of 2
1 (2, 3) 1
º. Notice that the line has a y-intercept of 4, which
2 1
agrees with the slope-intercept form found above.
1 x

EXAMPLE 3 Writing Equations of Perpendicular and Parallel Lines

STUDENT HELP Write an equation of the line that passes through (3, 2) and is (a) perpendicular and
NE
ER T
(b) parallel to the line y = º3x + 2.
HOMEWORK HELP
INT

Visit our Web site

www.mcdougallittell.com SOLUTION
for extra examples. a. The given line has a slope of m1 = º3. So, a line that is perpendicular to this
1 1
line must have a slope of m2 = º = . Because you know the slope and a
m1 3
point on the line, use the point-slope form with (x1, y1 ) = (3, 2) to find an
equation of the line.
y º y1 = m2(x º x1) Use point-slope form.
1
y º 2 = (x º 3) Substitute for m2, x1, and y1.
3
1
y º 2 = x º 1 Distributive property
3
1
y = x + 1 Write in slope-intercept form.
3
b. For a parallel line use m2 = m1 = º3 and (x1, y1) = (3, 2).
y º y1 = m2(x º x1) Use point-slope form.

y º 2 = º3(x º 3) Substitute for m 2, x1, and y1.

y º 2 = º3x + 9 Distributive property

y = º3x + 11 Write in slope-intercept form.

92 Chapter 2 Linear Equations and Functions

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FOCUS ON
PEOPLE EXAMPLE 4 Writing an Equation Given Two Points

Write an equation of the line that passes through (º2, º1) and (3, 4).

SOLUTION
The line passes through (x1, y1 ) = (º2, º1) and (x2, y2) = (3, 4), so its slope is:
2 1 y ºy 4 º (º1) 5
m= =  =  = 1
x2 º x1 3 º (º2) 5
Because you know the slope and a point on the line, use the point-slope form to find
an equation of the line.
y º y1 = m(x º x1) Use point-slope form.
L
AL I
BARBARA y º (º1) = 1[x º (º2)] Substitute for m, x1, and y1.
FE
RE

JORDAN was the

y+1=x+2 Simplify.
first African-American
woman elected to Congress y=x+1 Write in slope-intercept form.
from a southern state. She
was a member of the House
of Representatives from 1973
to 1979. EXAMPLE 5 Writing and Using a Linear Model

POLITICS In 1970 there were 160 African-American women in elected public office
in the United States. By 1993 the number had increased to 2332. Write a linear model
for the number of African-American women who held elected public office at any
given time between 1970 and 1993. Then use the model to predict the number of
African-American women who will hold elected public office in 2010.
NE
ER T
INT

DATA UPDATE of Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies data at www.mcdougallittell.com

SOLUTION
2332 º 160
The average rate of change in officeholders is m =  ≈ 94.4.
1993 º 1970
You can use the average rate of change as the slope in your linear model.
PROBLEM
SOLVING VERBAL Number of Number Average rate Years since
MODEL = + •
STRATEGY officeholders in 1970 of change 1970

LABELS Number of officeholders = y (people)

Number in 1970 = 160 (people)

Average rate of change = 94.4 (people per year)

Years since 1970 = t (years)

African-American Women
ALGEBRAIC y = 160 + 94.4 t in Elected Public Office
MODEL
y
Officeholders

In 2010, which is 40 years since 1970, you can predict (40, 3936)
4000
that there will be
(23, 2332)
2000
y = 160 + 94.4(40) ≈ 3936
(0, 190)
African-American women in elected public office. 0
0 20 40 60 t
You can graph the model to check your prediction Years since 1970
visually.

2.4 Writing Equations of Lines 93

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GOAL 2 WRITING DIRECT VARIATION EQUATIONS

Two variables x and y show direct variation provided y = kx and k ≠ 0. The

nonzero constant k is called the constant of variation, and y is said to vary directly
with x. The graph of y = kx is a line through the origin.

EXAMPLE 6 Writing and Using a Direct Variation Equation

The variables x and y vary directly, and y = 12 when x = 4.

a. Write and graph an equation relating x and y. b. Find y when x = 5.

SOLUTION
a. Use the given values of x and y to find the constant of variation. y
(5, 15)
y = kx Write direct variation equation.
(4, 12)
12 = k(4) Substitute 12 for y and 4 for x.

3=k Solve for k.

The direct variation equation is y = 3x. The graph of y = 3x 2

is shown. 2 x
b. When x = 5, the value of y is y = 3(5) = 15.
..........
y
The equation for direct variation can be rewritten as  = k. This tells you that a set of
x
data pairs (x, y) shows direct variation if the quotient of y and x is constant.

L
AL I EXAMPLE 7 Identifying Direct Variation
FE
RE

Jewelry Tell whether the data show direct variation. If so, write an equation relating x and y.
a.
14-karat Gold Chains (1 gram per inch)

Length, x (inches) 16 18 20 24 30
Price, y (dollars) 288 324 360 432 540

b. Loose Diamonds (round, colorless, very small flaws)

Weight, x (carats) 0.5 0.7 1.0 1.5 2.0

Price, y (dollars) 2250 3430 6400 11,000 20,400

SOLUTION For each data set, check whether the quotient of y and x is constant.
288 324 360 432 540
a. For the 14-karat gold chains,  =  =  =  =  = 18. The data do
16 18 20 24 30
show direct variation, and the direct variation equation is y = 18x.
2250 3430
b. For the loose diamonds,  = 4500, but  = 4900. The data do not show
0 .5 0 .7
direct variation.

94 Chapter 2 Linear Equations and Functions

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GUIDED PRACTICE
Vocabulary Check ✓ 1. Define the constant of variation for two variables x and y that vary directly.
Concept Check ✓ 2. How can you find an equation of a line given the slope and the y-intercept of the
line? given the slope and a point on the line? given two points on the line?
3. Give a real-life example of two quantities that vary directly.

Skill Check ✓ Write an equation of the line that has the given properties.
2
4. slope: , y-intercept: 2 5. slope: 2, passes through (0, º4)
5
3
6. slope: º3, passes through (5, 2) 7. slope: º, passes through (º7, 0)
4
8. passes through (4, 8) and (1, 2) 9. passes through (0, 2) and (º5, 0)
10. Write an equation of the line that passes through (1, º6) and is perpendicular to
the line y = 3x + 7.
11. Write an equation of the line that passes through (3, 9) and is parallel to the line
y = 5x º 15.
12. LAW OF SUPPLY The law of supply states that the quantity supplied of an
item varies directly with the price of that item. Suppose that for $4 per tape
5 million cassette tapes will be supplied. Write an equation that relates the
number c (in millions) of cassette tapes supplied to the price p (in dollars) of the
tapes. Then determine how many cassette tapes will be supplied for $5 per tape.

PRACTICE AND APPLICATIONS

STUDENT HELP SLOPE-INTERCEPT FORM Write an equation of the line that has the given
slope and y-intercept.
Extra Practice
to help you master 13. m = 5, b = º3 14. m = º3, b = º4 15. m = º4, b = 0
skills is on p. 942.
3 3 7
16. m = 0, b = 4 17. m = , b = 6 18. m = º, b = 
5 4 3

POINT-SLOPE FORM Write an equation of the line that passes through the
given point and has the given slope.
19. (0, 4), m = 2 20. (1, 0), m = 3 21. (º6, 5), m = 0
2 4 2
22. (9, 3), m = º 23. (3, º2), m = º 24. (7, º4), m = 
3 3 5
STUDENT HELP
25. Write an equation of the line that passes through (1, º1) and is perpendicular to
HOMEWORK HELP 1
the line y = ºx + 6.
Example 1: Exs. 13–18 2
Example 2: Exs. 19–24 26. Write an equation of the line that passes through (6, º10) and is perpendicular to
Example 3: Exs. 25–28
the line that passes through (4, º6) and (3, º4).
Example 4: Exs. 29–40
Example 5: Exs. 59–62 27. Write an equation of the line that passes through (2, º7) and is parallel to the
Example 6: Exs. 43–54 line x = 5.
Example 7: Exs. 55–58,
63–68 28. Write an equation of the line that passes through (4, 6) and is parallel to the line
that passes through (6, º6) and (10, º4).

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VISUAL THINKING Write an equation of the line.

29. y 30. y 31. y
5 x
1
1 x
15
2
2 x

32. y 33. y 34. y

3
3x
3

1 x
2
2 x

WRITING EQUATIONS Write an equation of the line that passes through the
given points.
35. (8, 5), (11, 14) 36. (º5, 9), (º4, 7) 37. (º8, 8), (0, 1)
38. (2, 0), (4, º6) 39. (º20, º10), (5, 15) 40. (º2, 0), (0, 6)

41. LOGICAL REASONING Redo Example 2 by substituting the given point and
slope into y = mx + b. Then solve for b to write an equation of the line. Explain
why using this method does not change the equation of the line.

42. LOGICAL REASONING Redo Example 4 by substituting (3, 4) for (x1, y1) into
y º y1 = m (x º x1). Then rewrite the equation in slope-intercept form. Explain
why using the point (3, 4) does not change the equation of the line.

RELATING VARIABLES The variables x and y vary directly. Write an equation

that relates the variables. Then find y when x = 8.
43. x = 2, y = 7 44. x = º6, y = 15 45. x = º3, y = 9
1
46. x = 24, y = 4 47. x = 1, y =  48. x = 0.8, y = 1.6
2

RELATING VARIABLES The variables x and y vary directly. Write an equation

that relates the variables. Then find x when y = º5.
49. x = 6, y = 3 50. x = 9, y = 15 51. x = º5, y = º1
5 5
52. x = 100, y = 2 53. x = , y =  54. x = º0.3, y = 2.2
2 4

IDENTIFYING DIRECT VARIATION Tell whether the data show direct variation.
If so, write an equation relating x and y.

55. x 2 4 6 8 10 56. x 1 2 3 4 5
y 1 2 3 4 5 y 5 4 3 2 1

57. x 3 6 9 12 15 58. x º5 º4 º3 º2 º1
y º3 º6 º9 º12 º15 y 10 8 6 4 2

96 Chapter 2 Linear Equations and Functions

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59. POPULATION OF OREGON From 1990 to 1996 the population of Oregon

increased by about 60,300 people per year. In 1996 the population was about
3,204,000. Write a linear model for the population P of Oregon from 1990 to
1996. Let t represent the number of years since 1990. Then estimate the
population of Oregon in 2014.  Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States
60. AIRFARE In 1998 an airline offered a special airfare of $201 to fly from
Cincinnati to Washington, D.C., a distance of 386 miles. Special airfares offered
for longer flights increased by about $.138 per mile. Write a linear model for the
special airfares a based on the total number of miles t of the flight. Estimate the
airfare offered for a flight from Boston to Sacramento, a distance of 2629 miles.
61. BOOKSTORE SALES In 1990 retail sales at bookstores were about
$7.4 billion. In 1997 retail sales at bookstores were about $11.8 billion. Write a
linear model for retail sales s (in billions of dollars) at bookstores from 1990
through 1997. Let t represent the number of years since 1990. Then estimate the
retail sales at bookstores in 2012.  Source: American Booksellers Association
62. SCIENCE CONNECTION The velocity of sound in dry air increases as the
temperature increases. At 40°C sound travels at a rate of about 355 meters per
second. At 49°C it travels at a rate of about 360 meters per second. Write a
linear model for the velocity v (in meters per second) of sound based on the
temperature T (in degrees Celsius). Then estimate the velocity of sound at 60°C.
 Source: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics

63. BREAKING WAVES The height h (in feet) at which a wave breaks varies
directly with the wave length l (in feet), which is the distance from the crest of
one wave to the crest of the next. A wave that breaks at a height of 4 feet has a
wave length of 28 feet. Write a linear model that gives h as a function of l. Then
estimate the wave length of a wave that breaks at a height of 5.5 feet.
 Source: Rhode Island Sea Grant

crest crest
wave length

wave height

FOCUS ON
APPLICATIONS
64. DANCING The number C of calories a person burns performing an activity
varies directly with the time t (in minutes) the person spends performing the
activity. A 160 pound person can burn 73 Calories by dancing for 20 minutes.
Write a linear model that gives C as a function of t. Then estimate how long a
160 pound person should dance to burn 438 Calories.  Source: Health Journal
65. HAILSTONES Hailstones are formed when frozen raindrops are caught in
updrafts and carried into high clouds containing water droplets. As a rule of
thumb, the radius r (in inches) of a hailstone varies directly with the time t (in
seconds) that the hailstone is in a high cloud. After a hailstone has been in a high
cloud for 60 seconds, its radius is 0.25 inch. Write a linear model that gives r as a
L
AL I function of t. Then estimate how long a hailstone was in a high cloud if its radius
HAILSTONES The
FE
RE

largest hailstone measures 2.75 inches.  Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
ever recorded fell at
Coffeyville, Kansas. It 66. GEOMETRY CONNECTION When the length of a rectangle is fixed, the area A (in
weighed 1.67 pounds square inches) of the rectangle varies directly with its width w (in inches). When
and had a radius of about the width of a particular rectangle is 12 inches, its area is 36 square inches. Write
2.75 inches. an equation that gives A as a function of w. Then find A when w is 7.5 inches.

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STATISTICS CONNECTION Tell whether the data show direct variation. If so,
write an equation relating x and y.

67. Applesauce

Ounces, x 8 16 24 36 48
Price, y $.89 $1.25 $1.39 $2.09 $2.49

68. Fresh Apples

Pounds, x 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Price, y $.89 $1.34 $1.78 $2.23 $2.49

Test 69. MULTI-STEP PROBLEM Besides slope-intercept and point-slope forms, another
x y
Preparation form that can be used to write equations of lines is intercept form:  +  = 1
a b
x y x y
a. Graph  +  = 1. b. Graph  +  = 1.
5 3 º2 9
c. Writing Geometrically, what do a and b represent in the intercept form of a
linear equation?
d. Write an equation of the line shown using intercept form. y

e. Write an equation of the line with x-intercept º5 and

y-intercept º8 using intercept form.
1
f. Write an equation of the line that passes through (0, º3)
and (2, 0) using intercept form. 1 x

★ Challenge 70. SLOPE-INTERCEPT FORM Derive the slope-intercept form of a linear equation
from the slope formula using (0, b) as the coordinates of the point where the line
crosses the y-axis and an arbitrary point (x, y).

MIXED REVIEW
SOLVING EQUATIONS Solve the equation. (Review 1.7)
71. |x º 10| = 17 72. |7 º 2x| = 5 73. |ºx º 9| = 1
74. |4x + 1| = 0.5 75. |22x + 6| = 9.2 76. |5.2x + 7| = 3.8

FINDING SLOPE Find the slope of the line passing through the given points.
(Review 2.2 for 2.5)
77. (1, º7), (2, 7) 78. (º1, º1), (º5, º4) 79. (2, 4), (5, 10)
80. (5, º2), (º3, º1) 81. (º2, 4), (2, 4) 82. (º4, º1), (5, º4)
83. (0, º8), (º9, 10) 84. (6, 11), (6, º5) 85. (º11, 4), (º4, 11)

GRAPHING EQUATIONS Graph the equation. (Review 2.3 for 2.5)

3 1 3
86. y = x º 5 87. y = ºx + 2 88. y = ºx + 2
4 5 7
89. 3x + 7y = 42 90. 2x º 8y = º15 91. º5x + 3y = 10
92. x = 0 93. y = º3 94. y = x

98 Chapter 2 Linear Equations and Functions