16Hit1600
AlgebraHardy-intercept of a line parallel to a given line through a point

Algebra practice question

In the xy-plane, line m is parallel to the line 3x + 2y = 8 and passes through the point (4, 5). What is the y-intercept of line m?

Answer: 11

The line 3x + 2y = 8 has slope −3/2, so line m does too. Through (4, 5): 5 = −(3/2)(4) + b → 5 = −6 + b → b = 11.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 4
4 is the y-intercept of the given line (8 ÷ 2), not of line m.
If you answered 8
8 comes from using a slope of 3/2 instead of −3/2 and a sign slip.
If you answered -1
−1 comes from 5 = 6 + b, dropping the sign of the slope.

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