Question Video: Finding the Equation of a Straight Line Mathematics • First Year of Secondary School

Video Transcript

If a straight line intercepts the 𝑥-axis at six, zero and intercepts the 𝑦-axis at zero, five, write the equation of the straight line in two-intercept form.

Let’s recall first the two-intercept form of the equation of a straight line. The two-intercept form of the equation of the straight line that intercepts the 𝑥-axis at 𝑎, zero and intercepts the 𝑦-axis at zero, 𝑏 is 𝑥 over 𝑎 plus 𝑦 over 𝑏 equals one. We’re told that this line intercepts the 𝑥-axis at six, zero, so the value of 𝑎 is six. We’re also told that the line intercepts the 𝑦-axis at zero, five, so the value of 𝑏 is five. Substituting 𝑎 equals six and 𝑏 equals five into the two-intercept form of the equation of a straight line gives our answer. 𝑥 over six plus 𝑦 over five is equal to one.