16Hit1600
AlgebraEasy–MediumEquation of a line through two points

Algebra practice question

The graph of a linear function passes through the points (0, 5) and (2, 1). Which equation defines the function?

  1. A. y = −2x + 5Correct
  2. B. y = 2x + 5
  3. C. y = −2x + 1
  4. D. y = −(1/2)x + 5

Answer: A. y = −2x + 5

The slope is (1 − 5)/(2 − 0) = −2, and the y-intercept is 5.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. y = 2x + 5
The slope should be negative: y falls as x rises.
C. y = −2x + 1
The y-intercept is 5, not 1.
D. y = −(1/2)x + 5
The slope is −2, not −1/2.

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