16Hit1600
AlgebraHardEquation of a line parallel to a given line

Algebra practice question

Which equation represents the line in the xy-plane that passes through (0, −2) and is parallel to the line y = 4x + 7?

  1. A. y = 4x − 2Correct
  2. B. y = −(1/4)x − 2
  3. C. y = 4x + 7
  4. D. y = −2x + 4

Answer: A. y = 4x − 2

Parallel lines share the slope 4; the point (0, −2) is the y-intercept, so y = 4x − 2.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. y = −(1/4)x − 2
−1/4 is the slope of a PERPENDICULAR line.
C. y = 4x + 7
y = 4x + 7 is the original line; it passes through (0, 7), not (0, −2).
D. y = −2x + 4
−2x + 4 swaps the slope and intercept and flips a sign.

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