The equation of the line passing through (1,11) and (-4,5) can be expressed in the form x/a + y/b = 1. Find a.
At least a couple of ways to do this.....here's my method
First, find the slope
(5 -11) /(-4 -1) = - 6 / -5 = 6/5
Writing in point slope form we have
y = (-6/5)(x - 1) + 11 simplify
y = (-6/5)x + 6/5 + 11
y= (-6/5)x + 61/5 multiply through by (5/61)
5y / 61 = -6x/61 + 1
6x / 61 + 5y / 61 = 1 and we can write
x / ( 61/6) + y / (61/5) = 1
a = 61 / 6