16Hit1600
AlgebraHardEquation of a line from a graph description

Algebra practice question

A line in the xy-plane has a y-intercept of −4 and passes through (2, 2). Which equation represents the line?

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

Answer: A. y = 3x − 4

Slope from (0, −4) to (2, 2): (2 − (−4))/2 = 3. Equation: y = 3x − 4.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. y = 3x + 2
3x + 2 has y-intercept 2, not −4.
C. y = −4x + 2
−4x + 2 swaps the roles of the numbers.
D. y = (1/3)x − 4
1/3 is the reciprocal slope.

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