A line has slope -2 and y-intercept 6; what is its equation in slope-intercept form?

A line has slope -2 and y-intercept 6; what is its equation in slope-intercept form?

• A. y = 2x - 6
• B. y = -2x - 6
• C. y = -2x + 6
• D. y = x + 6

Answer: (C)

In slope-intercept form, y = mx + b, the slope m tells how steep the line is and the y-intercept b is where the line crosses the y-axis. With a slope of -2, the line falls as x increases. A y-intercept of 6 means the line crosses the y-axis at y = 6, so b = 6. Put those together and the equation is y = (-2)x + 6, which simplifies to y = -2x + 6. The negative slope shows the downward tilt, and the +6 confirms the intercept on the y-axis.

In slope-intercept form, y = mx + b, the slope m tells how steep the line is and the y-intercept b is where the line crosses the y-axis. With a slope of -2, the line falls as x increases. A y-intercept of 6 means the line crosses the y-axis at y = 6, so b = 6. Put those together and the equation is y = (-2)x + 6, which simplifies to y = -2x + 6. The negative slope shows the downward tilt, and the +6 confirms the intercept on the y-axis.