How do I find an equation of the line using function notation that goes through (5,8) parallel to f(x)= 3x- 8?

1 Answer
Jun 23, 2015

y-8 = 3(x-5) or, in standard form, 3x-y= 7
or in functional notation f(x) = 3x-7

Explanation:

f(x)=3x-8 is the equation of a line in slope-intercept form with a slope of 3.

All lines parallel to f(x)=3x-8 have the same slope.

Temporarily, writing y in place of f(x) :
the equation of a line through (hatx,haty)=(5,8) with a slope of m=3 can be written in point slope form as:
color(white)("XXXX")(y-haty)= m(x-hatx)
or
color(white)("XXXX")(y-8) = 3(x-5)

We can simplify this:
multiplying through the right side:
color(white)("XXXX")y-8 = 3x-15
subtracting y from both sides:
color(white)("X8XXX")-8 = 3x -15 -y
adding 15 to both sides
color(white)("XXXX")7 = 3x-y

Or, going back to y-8=3x-15 and restoring f(x) for y:
color(white)("XXXX")f(x)-8 = 3x-15
color(white)("XXXX")f(x)= 3x-7