Use y = mx + b (slope intercept form) to calculate the equation of the line, where m represents the slop and b represents the y intercept.
Slope is equal to the change in y over the change in x, or rise over run.
m = change in y / change in x
The change in x is equal to the difference in the x coordinates, and the change in y is equal to the difference in y coordinates.
m= y2 - y1 / x2 - x1
Substitute the values of x and y into the equation to find the slope.
m = 5 - (-16) / 1 - 8
m = -3
Use slope intercept form to find b.
Substitute the value of m into the equation.
y = -3x + b
Substitute the value of x into the equation.
y = (-3)(8) + b
Substitute the value of y into the equation.
-16 = (-3)(8) + b
Then solve.
b = 8
Now that the values of m (slope) and b (y-intercept) are known, substitute them into y = mx + b to find the equation of the line.
y = -3x + 8
