Question 104·Medium·Linear Equations in Two Variables
In the -plane, line passes through the point and is parallel to the line . Which equation defines line ?
For SAT questions about lines parallel to a given line, first read the slope directly from the given equation in slope-intercept form . Use that same slope for the new line, then plug in the coordinates of the given point into to solve for the intercept . As a quick check, make sure your final equation has the correct slope and that substituting the point satisfies the equation before you choose your answer.
Hints
Find the slope of the given line
Look at the equation . In slope-intercept form , what number represents the slope ?
Use the idea of parallel lines
When two lines are parallel, how are their slopes related? Use that relationship to write a general equation for line with an unknown intercept .
Use the point on line m
Substitute the coordinates of the point into your general equation for line to solve for .
Check with the answer choices
Once you find the full equation of line , compare it to the options and also double-check that your choice has the correct slope and passes through .
Desmos Guide
Graph the original line
In Desmos, enter y = -2x + 5 to see the reference line and its slope visually.
Plot the given point
Type (3,2) into Desmos to plot the point that must lie on line m.
Graph each answer choice
One by one, enter the equations y = 2x + 8, y = -2x - 8, y = -1/2x + 8, and y = -2x + 8. Observe which of these lines is parallel to y = -2x + 5 (same steepness and direction) and also passes exactly through the point (3,2).
Identify the correct equation
The correct answer choice is the one whose graph is parallel to y = -2x + 5 and goes through the plotted point (3,2).
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the slope of the given line
The given line is , which is in slope-intercept form .
So the slope of this line is .
Use the fact that parallel lines have the same slope
Parallel lines in the -plane always have the same slope.
Since line is parallel to , line must also have slope .
So line has the form for some -intercept that we still need to find.
Plug in the point that lies on line m
We are told that line passes through the point .
Any point on a line must satisfy its equation, so plug and into :
Now solve this equation for .
Solve for the y-intercept and write the equation
Continue solving:
So the equation of line is , which matches answer choice D.