Question 12·Hard·Linear Equations in Two Variables
The table below shows three values of and their corresponding values of , where is a constant.
There is a linear relationship between and . Which of the following equations represents this relationship?
When a table shows a linear relationship, quickly find the slope using two points, then write the line as and solve for using any one point. If the problem includes a parameter like , treat it as a normal number while you simplify, then, if needed, clear fractions and rearrange the equation to match the style of the answer choices (such as ). Checking one of the given points in your final equation is a fast way to confirm you chose the correct option.
Hints
Look at how changes when changes
Pick any two rows from the table and compute the slope , keeping as a symbol. Treat just like a number while you simplify.
Use the slope-intercept form
Once you have the slope in terms of , write and plug in one of the points from the table to solve for .
Match your equation to the choices
After you find an equation like , clear any fractions by multiplying both sides by and then rearrange to look like the answer choices (all are in the form ).
Desmos Guide
Set a specific value for s
In Desmos, type s = 2 so that Desmos treats as the number 2. (You can use any nonzero value, but 2 keeps the numbers simple.)
Plot the three data points
Enter the three points using : (-2s, 24), (-s, 21), and (s, 15). With , these will appear as , , and on the graph.
Graph each answer choice and compare
For each option, type its equation exactly (for example, s x + 3y = 18s for choice A). Desmos will draw four lines. The correct equation is the one whose line passes through all three plotted points; the others will miss at least one point.
Step-by-step Explanation
Find the slope from two points in the table
Use any two rows from the table to compute the slope .
Between and :
Check with the next pair and :
So the slope is .
Write the line in slope-intercept form and find the intercept
Use with .
So the equation is
Plug in one point from the table, for example :
So in slope-intercept form, the line is
Rearrange to match the form of the answer choices
Eliminate the fraction by multiplying both sides by :
Now move to the left side:
This matches choice B, so the correct equation is .