Linear Equations in Point-Slope Form

Garry needs to solve the equation of the line so he can find his way to freedom or else

risk getting blown to bits by the greenskeeper…[Dynamite explodes near Gopher on the golf course]

A line is in point-slope form when it looks like this:

y – y1 = m times x – x1

Here, m is the slope of the line and (x1, y1) is any fixed point on the line.

Let's use Garry's position as the fixed point (x1, y1), so x1 = -2 and y1 = 2: [Equation of point slop form on a chalkboard]

Looks like the greenskeeper also likes that point. [Greenskeeper dropping dynamite on the gophers position]

Now we need to calculate m, or slope.

We do this by finding the rise and run between the two points:

The run… the distance between the two x-points is 4…

… while the rise…the distance between the y-points… is negative six.

Slope equals rise over run, or negative 6 over 4. [equation for rise over run on a chalkboard]

This simplifies to negative three over 2.

Now we plug in the values we know. [Person plugging a lead into a port]

y1 = 2, m = -3/2, and x1= -2.

Which makes our equation y – 2 = -3/2 times x + 2 [Golf cart drives along the golf course and explodes]

He figured it out!

Looks like Garry will live to dig another day.