2.1 Equations of Lines 75 (]2.1.4 Slope-Intercept Form The slope-intercept form of the equation of a line is a special case of the slope-point form of the equation of a line. The given point in the slope-intereept form is a point on the y-axis called the y-intercept. For the special case when Py(xi,yx) is the y~intercept, denoted by (0,0), the slope-point form can be transformed into the slope-intercept form of the equation of a line. Hence, yoyem(e-m) = yeb=m(x-0) => yanetd Now, if the equation of the line is in gencral form, we reduce the equation to the slope-intercept form by solving for y in terms of x. That is, . ax+by+c=0 => by=-ar-c => ye-tx-£ We have m = —§ and y-intercept ~£. 12 to the slope intercept form. Draw the line. Example 1 Reduce the equation 3x + 4y Solution To reduce the equation to the slope-intercept form, we solve the equation for y in terms of x (see Figure 2.24). Hence, = ya ix+3 3x44) Thus, the line has m = -}, and b =3 To draw the line: we start from the y-intercept (0,3), go downward (ic. if m= =) 3 units and run 4 units to the right. Then draw the line between the first point and the third point76 Chapter 2 The Line Example 2. Find the equation of the line having y-intereept (0, 3) and slope —2. Draw the line, Solution Let 5 =3 and m=—2; substituting these values into the slope-intercept form of the equation of a line (sce Figure 2.25), we obtain yemet+b => ya-jxt3 or 3y+2x-9=0 To draw the line, let m= =; starting from the y-intercept b= 3, we go downward 2 units and run 3 units to the right. Then draw a line passing through the first point and the third point. Figure 2.25. Line with m =} and b=3 Example 3 Find the equation of a line having y-intercept —1.75 and slope 0.5. Solution Let 6 =-1.75 =-1}=—3 and m=0.5 = 3; substituting these values into the slope-intercept form of the equation of a line (see Figure 2.26), we get yemet+b => y=ix-$ or dy-2e4+5=0 Figure 2.26. Line with m =0.5 and b=-1.75.21 Equations of Lines 77 “J Exercise 2.1.4 Slope-Intercept Form Student: Score | Instructor: __ Section (AT sotve the following problems 1. Find the equation of the line with slope # and y-intercept -1. Draw the line Solution JA “v 2. Reduce the equation 2x+ ty = 1 to the slope-intercept form and draw the line Solution78 Chapter 2. The Line 3. Find the equation of the line perpendicular to the line 2x + Solution 3y=4 having y-intercept -1. 4. In Figure 2.27 is a rectangle bounded by the x- and y-axes and the line 2x+3y =6. Find a. the x- and y-intercepts of the line. b. the point of intersection between vertex of the rectangle and the line. c, the area of the rectangle. Solution Figure 2.27.