Write an equation for a line that passes through (-1,4) and is parallel to 2y + 10x=-36

Hi there Brook!

First, you need to find the slope of this linear line, because if two lines are parallel they have the same exact slope.

2y + 10x = - 36 < - - Subtract 10x on both sides

2y = - 10x - 36 < - - Divide everything by 2

y = - 5x - 18 < - - Your re-organized linear equation, with the slope of - 5.

Now that you know the slope is - 5, but not the y-intercept since the line is different, look at the coordinate you have. Since you know that an input of - 1 makes an output of 4, you can create an equation:

4 = - 5 (-1) + b < - - Four equals the slope times the input, plus the y-intercept

4 = 5 + b

b = - 1, since 5 + (-1) = 4.

So, now your final equation is y = - 5x - 1