Subject Code Math 2 Intermediate Algebra

Module Code 1.0 Linear Equations in Two Variables (LETV)

Lesson Code 1.6.1 Graphing and Writing LETV Using Two-Point Form
Time Frame 30 Minutes

TARGET

After completing this module, you are expected to:

▪ sketch the graph a line given two points;
▪ write the equation of the line given two points; and
▪ express the equation in standard form.

HOOK TA: 5 Minutes* ATA**:

In the previous lessons, you learned the two forms used in writing equation of a line. They are given
as follows:

Slope-Intercept Form 𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒃
where 𝑚 is the slope and 𝑏 is the 𝑦 −intercept

Point-Slope Form 𝒚 − 𝒚𝟏 = 𝒎(𝒙 − 𝒙𝟏 )

where 𝑚 is the slope and (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) is the given point

In this lesson, you will learn a new form to be used in writing equation of a line. Click on the link or
scan the QR code below to watch the video that shows a review of your previous lessons and an overview
of this lesson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V
vh3rgCisIc

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 IGNITE TA: 15 Minutes* ATA**:

Given the points (−2,4) and (1, −3), plot them

on the Cartesian plane (Figure 1) on the right and then
draw a straight line passing through them using a straight
edge.

Figure 1

To write the equation of the line passing through the points (−2,4) and (1, −3), we can use the
point-slope form or the slope-intercept form discussed in the previous lessons. Examples 1 and 2 show a
review of how to use these forms.

Example 1: Using the Point-Slope Form (Given Two Points)

Write an equation of the line through the points (−2,4) and (1, −3).

Solution:
𝑦2 − 𝑦1 −3 − 4 −7 Compute for the slope.
𝑚= = =
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 1 − (−2) 3

Either the point (−2,4) or (1, −3) can be used for (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ). We choose (1, −3).

𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 ) Point-slope form

7 7
𝑦 − (−3) = − (𝑥 − 1) (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) = (1, −3), 𝑚 = −
3 3

7 7 Distributive property
𝑦+3=− 𝑥+
3 3

7 7 Subtract 3 on both sides.

𝑦 = − 𝑥+ −3
3 3

7 7 9 Operation of fractions
𝑦=− 𝑥+ −
3 3 3

7 2 Simplify.
𝑦=− 𝑥−
3 3

Example 2: Using the Slope-Intercept Form (Given Two Points)

Write an equation of the line through the points (−2,4) and (1, −3).
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Solution:

𝑦2 − 𝑦1 −3 − 4 −7 7 Compute for the slope.

𝑚= = = =−
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 1 − (−2) 3 3

We then solve for 𝑏. Either the point (−2,4) or (1, −3) can be used for (𝑥, 𝑦). We choose (1, −3).
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 Slope-intercept form
7
−3 = − (1) + 𝑏 7
3 (𝑥, 𝑦) = (1, −3), 𝑚 = −
3
7 Simplify.
−3 = − + 𝑏
3
7 7
−3 + = 𝑏 Add on both sides.
3 3

2 Simplify, y-intercept (b) is computed.

− =𝑏
3

𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 Slope-intercept form

7 2 7 2
𝑦=− 𝑥− Substitute 𝑚 = − and 𝑏 = − .
3 3 3 3

TWO-POINT FORM
The two-point form of a line passing through the points (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) is

𝑦2 −𝑦1
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = (𝑥 − 𝑥1 ), where 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑥2 .
𝑥2 −𝑥1

You can think of the two-point form as the same as the point-slope form, 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 ),
𝑦 −𝑦
where the formula for slope 𝑚 = 2 1 is “spelled-out” in the two-point form.
𝑥2 −𝑥1

Example 3: Using the Two-Point Form (Given Two Points)

Write an equation of the line passing through the points (−2,4) and (1, −3).

Solution:

𝑦2 − 𝑦1 Two-point form
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = (𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
−3−4 Substitute (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) = (−2,4)
𝑦−4= [𝑥 − (−2)]
1−(−2)
(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) = (1, −3).

−7 Simplify. Be careful with the signs.

𝑦−4= (𝑥 + 2)
3

7 14 Distributive property
𝑦−4 =− 𝑥−
3 3

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 7 14 Add 4 on both sides.
𝑦=− 𝑥− +4
3 3
7 14 12 Operation of fractions
𝑦=− 𝑥− +
3 3 3
7 2 Slope-intercept form
𝑦=− 𝑥−
3 3

Example 4: Using the Two-Point Form (Given Two Points)

3 9 7 5
Write an equation of the line passing through ( , − ) and ( , − ). Express your answer in standard form.
2 4 2 4
Solution:
𝑦2 −𝑦1
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = (𝑥 − 𝑥1 ) Two-point form
𝑥2 −𝑥1
9 5
5 −4−(−4) 7 Substitute
𝑦 − (− ) = 3 7 (𝑥 − ) 7 5
4 − 2
2 2 (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) = ( , − ) ;
2 4
3 9
(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) = ( , − ).
2 4

9 5
5 −4+4 7
𝑦+ = 4 (𝑥 − )
4 −2 2 Simplify.

Be careful in your
operations of fractions.
4
5 −4 7
𝑦+ = 4 (𝑥 − )
4 −2 2 Simplify.
5 −1 7 Simplify.
𝑦+ = (𝑥 − )
4 −2 2
5 1 7 Simplify.
𝑦+ = (𝑥 − )
4 2 2
5 1 7 Distributive property
𝑦+ = 𝑥−
4 2 4
1 7 5 5
𝑦= 𝑥− − Add − on both sides.
2 4 4 4
1 12 Simplify.
𝑦= 𝑥−
2 4
1 Slope-intercept form
𝑦= 𝑥−3
2

1
To express 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 3 in standard form, we recall the following definition.
2

STANDARD FORM OF A LINEAR EQUATION

A standard form of a linear equation is 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶, where 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 are integers,

𝐴 > 0 and 𝐺𝐶𝐹(𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶) = 1.

1
Below are the steps in expressing 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 3 in standard form,
2
1 Given equation in slope-intercept form
𝑦 = 𝑥−3
2
1 1
− 𝑥 + 𝑦 = −3 Subtract 𝑥 on both sides.
2 2
𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 6 Multiply both sides by −2 to make all the
coefficients to integers and to make the
coefficient of A>0.
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Example 5: Using the Two-Point Form (Given Two Points)

Sketch the graph and write an equation of the line passing through (3, 5) and (−2,5).

Solution:
a. To sketch the graph of the line, plot the
given points and then connect them with a
straight line. The line is horizontal.

Figure 2
b. To write the equation of the line, we have the following steps.
𝑦 −𝑦
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 2 1 (𝑥 − 𝑥1 ) Two-point form
𝑥2 −𝑥1
5−5 Substitute (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) = (3,5); (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) = (−2,5).
𝑦−5= (𝑥 − 3)
−2−3

0 Simplify.
𝑦−5= (𝑥 − 3)
−5

𝑦 − 5 = 0(𝑥 − 3) Simplify.

𝑦−5 =0 Simplify.

𝑦=5 Add 5 on both sides. Note that its slope is zero.

Example 6: Using the Two-Point Form (Given Two Points)

Sketch the graph and write an equation of the line passing through (−1, 1) and (−1, 4.5).

Solution:
a. To sketch the graph of the line, plot the
given points and then connect them with a
straight line. The line is vertical.

Figure 3
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 b. To write the equation of the line, we have the following steps.

𝑦2 −𝑦1
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = (𝑥 − 𝑥1 ) Two-point form
𝑥2 −𝑥1
4.5−1 Substitute (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) = (−1, 1); (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) = (−1, 4.5).
𝑦−1= [𝑥 − (−1)]
−1−(−1)

3.5 Simplify.
𝑦−1= (𝑥 + 1)
0
However, it cannot be simplified further
because of the division by zero.

Even if we cannot write the equation of a vertical line using the two-point form, we can still write its
equation. If you consider the points of the vertical line in Figure 3, they are of the form (−1, 𝑦), where 𝑦 is
any real number. This means that the points of the vertical line have the same 𝑥 −coordinates. Consequently,
the equation of a vertical line through (𝑎, 𝑏) is x = a. For our example, the equation of the vertical line is 𝑥 = −1.

Similarly, we can also write the equation of a horizontal line in the same manner. Consider the points of
the horizontal line in Figure 2, they are of the form (𝑥, 5), where 𝑥 is any real number. This means that the
points of the horizontal line have the same 𝑦 −coordinates. Consequently, the equation of a horizontal line
through (𝑎, 𝑏) is y = b. For our example, the equation of the horizontal line is 𝑦 = 5. This equation is the same as
the one we solve using the two-point form.

The definition for two-point form states that 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑥2 . This is to avoid division by
zero. This situation occurs when you are writing the equation of a vertical line. Thus,
the two-point form is used to write the equation of nonvertical lines.

EQUATIONS OF HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL LINES

• An equation of the vertical line through the point (𝑎, 𝑏) is 𝑥 = 𝑎.

• An equation of the horizontal line through the point (𝑎, 𝑏) is 𝑦 = 𝑏.

Example 7: Using the Two-Point Form (Given the Graph)

Write an equation of the line whose graph is shown in Figure 4.

Solution: To write the equation of the given line,

identify two points of the line and use the two-point
form. By inspection, the line passes through the
points (−4, −1) and (−2, 4).

Let (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) = (−4, −1) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) = (−2, 4)

𝑦2 − 𝑦1
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = (𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
4−(−1)
𝑦 − (−1) = [𝑥 − (−4)]
−2−(−4)
5
𝑦+1 = (𝑥 + 4)
2
5
𝑦 + 1 = 𝑥 + 10
2
5
𝑦= 𝑥 +9
2

Figure 4
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 NAVIGATE TA: 10 Minutes* ATA**:

Answer the following exercises to check your skills and understanding.

For items 1-4, sketch the graph of the line passing through the given points on the Cartesian plane.
1. (5, −2) and (1,4)
2. (−3,2) and (1,3)

3 1
3. (−1, − ) and (− , 3)
2 2

4. (−5.5, 0) and (0, −3)

For items 5-8, use the two-point form to write an equation of the line passing through the given
points. Express your result in the indicated form.

5. (5, −2) and (1, 4) standard form

5 7
6. (−4, − ) and (−2, ) standard form
2 2
1 3
7. ( , −3) and (−4, ) slope-intercept form
2 2
8. (−6, 0) and (0, 2) slope-intercept form

For items 9-12, using the two-point form, write the equation of the line in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏.

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SUMMARY:
1. To sketch the graph of a line given two points, plot the two points and draw a
straight line passing through them using a straight edge.
2. The two-point form of a line passing through the points (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) is

𝑦2 −𝑦1
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = (𝑥 − 𝑥1 ), where 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑥2 .
𝑥2 −𝑥1

3. The two-point form is used to write the equation of nonvertical lines.

4. An equation of the vertical line through the point (𝑎, 𝑏) is 𝑥 = 𝑎.

5. An equation of the horizontal line through the point (𝑎, 𝑏) is 𝑦 = 𝑏.

ASSESS YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Fill in the blank(s) to correctly complete each sentence.

2−1
1. The graph of the line 𝑦 − 1 = (𝑥 − 4) has slope ______ and passes through the points ______
3−4
and ______.
2. The vertical line through the point (4, −3) has equation ________.
3. The horizontal line through the point (10, 1) has equation ________.
2 5
4. The standard form of 𝑦 = 𝑥 + is _________________.
3 3
5. The equation of the line passing through (6,0) and (0, 2) is _________________.

SYNTHESIS JOURNAL

What are the important things to consider when writing the equation of a line using the two-point form?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

REFERENCES:

Albarico, J.M. (2013). THINK Framework. Based on Ramos, E.G. and N. Apolinario. (n.d.) Science LINKS.
Quezon City: Rex Bookstore Inc.
Charles, R.I., Hall, B., Kennedy, D., Bellman, A. E., Bragg, S., Handlin, W. G., Murphy, S. J., Wiggins, G.
(2015) Algebra 2 Common Core. Pearson Education, Inc.
Larson, R., & Hostetler, R. P. (2012) Algebra and Trigonometry (8th ed.). Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd.
Lial, M. L., Hornsby, J., Schneider, D. I., Daniels, C. J. (2017) College Algebra and Trigonometry (6th ed.).
Pearson Education Limited.
MyWhyU. (September 13, 2013). Algebra 23-Two-Point Form [Video file]. Retrieved July 29, 2020, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvh3rgCisIc
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 ANSWERS TO THE ODD-NUMBERED ITEMS IN NAVIGATE

5. 3𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 11

5
7. 𝑦 = −𝑥 −
2

1 2
9. 𝑦 = 𝑥 +
3 3

11. 𝑦 = 4

-END-

-END-

Prepared by: Freda B. Chayuwan Reviewed by: Methos Kristy V. Donessa

Position: Special Science Teacher (SST) III Position: Special Science Teacher (SST) III
Campus: PSHS-CAR Campus Campus: PSHS- SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus

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