How to find out if a point is on a line with an equation - PSAT Math

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Question

In the xy -plane, line l is given by the equation 2_x_ - 3_y_ = 5. If line l passes through the point (a ,1), what is the value of a ?

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Answer

The equation of line l relates x -values and y -values that lie along the line. The question is asking for the x -value of a point on the line whose y -value is 1, so we are looking for the x -value on the line when the y-value is 1. In the equation of the line, plug 1 in for y and solve for x:

2_x_ - 3(1) = 5

2_x_ - 3 = 5

2_x_ = 8

x = 4. So the missing x-value on line l is 4.

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