16Hit1600
AlgebraVery hardSecond point on a line from a first

Algebra practice question

The line 4x − 5y = 17 passes through (3, −1) and through (−2, k). What is the value of k?

Answer: -5 or −5

Substitute x = −2: −8 − 5k = 17, so −5k = 25 and k = −5.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 1
1 comes from 8 − 5k = 17 with the sign of 4x wrong for x = −2.
If you answered 5
5 has the wrong sign.
If you answered -1.8
−1.8 comes from −5k = 9, subtracting 8 from 17 instead of adding it.

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