Question x-y-2-

1.3 Linear Equations in Two Variables - Writing equations from data/points
0:00
x y
- 2 s 24
- s 21
s 15

The table shows three values of x and their corresponding values of y , where s is a constant. There is a linear relationship between x and y . Which of the following equations represents this relationship?

A.

sx+3y=18

B.

sx+3y=18s

C.

3x+sy=18s

D.

3x+sy=18

x y - 2 s 24 - s 21 s 15 The table shows three values

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 B is correct. The linear relationship between x and y can be represented by an equation of the form y-y1=mx-x1, where m is the slope of the graph of the equation in the xy-plane and x1,y1 is a point on the graph. The slope of a line can be found using two points on the line and the slope formula m=y2-y1x2-x1. Each value of x and its corresponding value of y in the table can be represented by a point x,y. Substituting the points -s,21 and s,15 for x1,y1 and x2,y2, respectively, in the slope formula yields m=15-21s--s, which gives m=-62s, or m=-3s. Substituting -3s for m  and the point s,15 for x1,y1 in the equation y-y1=mx-x1 yields y-15=-3sx-s. Distributing -3s on the right-hand side of this equation yields y-15=-3xs+3. Adding 15 to each side of this equation yields y=-3xs+18. Multiplying each side of this equation by s yields sy=-3x+18s. Adding 3 x to each side of this equation yields 3x+sy=18s. Therefore, the equation 3x+sy=18s represents this relationship.

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

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

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