Learn on PengiBig Ideas Math, Course 2, AcceleratedChapter 3: Graphing and Writing Linear Equations

Lesson 7: Writing Equations in Point-Slope Form

Property The point slope form of a linear equation is $y = y 1 + m(x x 1)$, where $m$ is the slope and $(x 1, y 1)$ is any known point on the line.

Section 1

Point-Slope Form

Property

The point-slope form of a linear equation is y=y1+m(xx1)y = y_1 + m(x - x_1), where mm is the slope and (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) is any known point on the line.

This form is useful for finding the equation of a line when you know its slope and at least one point it passes through.

You may also see the formula written in an alternate version:

yy1=m(xx1)oryy1xx1=my-y_1=m(x-x_1) \quad \text{or} \quad \frac{y-y_1}{x-x_1}=m

Section 2

Writing Equations Using Two Points

Property

When given two points, first find the slope using the formula m=y2y1x2x1m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}. Then, choose one of the points and use the point-slope form, yy1=m(xx1)y - y_1 = m(x - x_1), to write the equation of the line.

Examples

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Chapter 3: Graphing and Writing Linear Equations

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Graphing Linear Equations

  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Slope of a Line

  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Graphing Proportional Relationships

  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Graphing Linear Equations in Slope-Intercept Form

  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Graphing Linear Equations in Standard Form

  6. Lesson 6

    Lesson 6: Writing Equations in Slope-Intercept Form

  7. Lesson 7Current

    Lesson 7: Writing Equations in Point-Slope Form

Lesson overview

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Section 1

Point-Slope Form

Property

The point-slope form of a linear equation is y=y1+m(xx1)y = y_1 + m(x - x_1), where mm is the slope and (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) is any known point on the line.

This form is useful for finding the equation of a line when you know its slope and at least one point it passes through.

You may also see the formula written in an alternate version:

yy1=m(xx1)oryy1xx1=my-y_1=m(x-x_1) \quad \text{or} \quad \frac{y-y_1}{x-x_1}=m

Section 2

Writing Equations Using Two Points

Property

When given two points, first find the slope using the formula m=y2y1x2x1m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}. Then, choose one of the points and use the point-slope form, yy1=m(xx1)y - y_1 = m(x - x_1), to write the equation of the line.

Examples

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 3: Graphing and Writing Linear Equations

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Graphing Linear Equations

  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Slope of a Line

  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Graphing Proportional Relationships

  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Graphing Linear Equations in Slope-Intercept Form

  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Graphing Linear Equations in Standard Form

  6. Lesson 6

    Lesson 6: Writing Equations in Slope-Intercept Form

  7. Lesson 7Current

    Lesson 7: Writing Equations in Point-Slope Form