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Recall the slope formula.
Example Equation: y=-667x+10400
Interpretation: See solution.
In the previous exercise, we drew the following line of best fit.
Let's write an equation in slope-intercept form for this line!
y=mx+b
The first point has the coordinates x_1= 3.5 and y_1= 8000. The second point has the coordinates x_2= 5 and y_2= 7000. Let's substitute these values into slope formula.
Substitute values
Subtract terms
Calculate quotient
Round to nearest integer
We found that the slope m is equal to about -667. This means that the cost to own a certain car decreases by about 667 dollars per year. y=mx+b ⇔ y= -667x+b Now we will find the y-intercept b, which is the y-value when x=0. We can find it on the graph!
We can see that when x=0, the y-value is equal to about 10 400. Therefore, the y-intercept b is also equal to about 10 400. This means the initial cost to own the car is equal to about 10 400 dollars. y=-667x+b ⇕ y=-667x+ 10 400 We wrote an equation of the line in slope-intercept form! Notice that this is just one example equation. Other equations based on other points or other lines of best fit are also acceptable.