Question for-th

1.3 Linear Equations in Two Variables - Writing equations from data/points
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  • For the first line in the system:
    • The line slants gradually down from left to right.
    • The line passes through the following points:
      • (3 comma 2)
      • (8 comma 0)
  • For the second line in the system:
    • The line slants gradually down from left to right.
    • The line passes through the following points:
      • (3 comma 4)
      • (8 comma 0)

What system of linear equations is represented by the lines shown?

A.

8 x + 4 y = 32

- 10 x - 4 y = -64

B.

8 x - 4 y = 32

- 10 x + 4 y = -64

C.

4 x - 10 y = 32

- 8 x + 10 y = -64

D.

4 x + 10 y = 32

- 8 x - 10 y = -64

For the first line in the system: The line slants gradually down from left to right.

Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Linear Equations in Two Variables — Writing equations from data/points. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice D is correct. A line in the xy-plane that passes through the points x1,y1 and x2,y2 has slope m , where m=y2-y1x2-x1, and can be defined by an equation of the form y-y1=mx-x1. One of the lines shown in the graph passes through the points 8,0 and 3,4. Substituting 8 for x1, 0 for y1, 3 for x2, and 4 for y2 in the equation m=y2-y1x2-x1 yields m=4-03-8, or m=-45. Substituting - 4 5 for m , 8 for x1 and 0 for y1 in the equation y-y1=mx-x1 yields y-0=-45x-8, which is equivalent to y=-45x+325. Adding 45x to both sides of this equation yields 45x+y=325. Multiplying both sides of this equation by -10 yields - 8 x - 10 y = -64 . Therefore, an equation of this line is - 8 x - 10 y = -64 . Similarly, the other line shown in the graph passes through the points 8,0 and 3,2. Substituting 8 for x1, 0 for y1, 3 for x2, and 2 for y2 in the equation m=y2-y1x2-x1 yields m=2-03-8, or m = - 2 5 . Substituting - 2 5 for m , 8 for x1, and 0 for y1 in the equation y-y1=mx-x1 yields y-0=-25x-8, which is equivalent to y=-25x+165. Adding 25x to both sides of this equation yields 25x+y=165. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 10 yields 4 x + 10 y = 32 . Therefore, an equation of this line is 4 x + 10 y = 32 . So, the system of linear equations represented by the lines shown is 4 x + 10 y = 32 and - 8 x - 10 y = -64 .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors. 

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.