Which equation represents a line that is parallel to the line that passes through the points [tex]\((-6, 9)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((7, -17)\)[/tex]?

A. [tex]\(y = 2x + 13\)[/tex]
B. [tex]\(y = -2x + 13\)[/tex]
C. [tex]\(y = -\frac{1}{2}x + 13\)[/tex]
D. [tex]\(y = \frac{1}{2}x + 13\)[/tex]



Answer :

To determine which equation represents a line parallel to the line passing through the points [tex]\((-6, 9)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((7, -17)\)[/tex], follow these steps:

### Step 1: Calculate the Slope of the Line

The slope [tex]\(m\)[/tex] of a line passing through two points [tex]\((x_1, y_1)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((x_2, y_2)\)[/tex] is given by:

[tex]\[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \][/tex]

Substituting the points [tex]\((-6, 9)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((7, -17)\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ m = \frac{-17 - 9}{7 - (-6)} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ m = \frac{-17 - 9}{7 + 6} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ m = \frac{-26}{13} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ m = -2 \][/tex]

So, the slope of the line passing through the points [tex]\((-6, 9)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((7, -17)\)[/tex] is [tex]\(-2\)[/tex].

### Step 2: Identify the Slope of the Parallel Line

Lines that are parallel have identical slopes. Therefore, the slope of the line parallel to the one passing through our points should also be [tex]\(-2\)[/tex].

### Step 3: Match the Slope with Given Equations

Now, we check the slopes of the given options:

A. [tex]\( y = 2x + 13 \)[/tex] [tex]\( \implies \)[/tex] Slope is [tex]\(2\)[/tex]
B. [tex]\( y = -2x + 13 \)[/tex] [tex]\( \implies \)[/tex] Slope is [tex]\(-2\)[/tex]
C. [tex]\( y = -\frac{1}{2}x + 13 \)[/tex] [tex]\( \implies \)[/tex] Slope is [tex]\(-\frac{1}{2}\)[/tex]
D. [tex]\( y = \frac{1}{2}x + 13 \)[/tex] [tex]\( \implies \)[/tex] Slope is [tex]\(\frac{1}{2}\)[/tex]

### Step 4: Select the Correct Option

The only equation with the same slope [tex]\(-2\)[/tex] as our original line is:

[tex]\[ \boxed{B \; y = -2x + 13} \][/tex]

Therefore, the equation that represents a line parallel to the line passing through the points [tex]\((-6, 9)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((7, -17)\)[/tex] is [tex]\( y = -2x + 13 \)[/tex].