It can be shown that the line with intercepts (a, 0) and (0, b) has the following equation: x/a + y/b= 1, a ≠ 0, b ≠ 0.

Use this result to write an equation of the line.

Point on line:

(−2, 4)

x-intercept: (a, 0)

y-intercept: (0, a)

(a ≠ 0)

The equation of the straight line is .

Given:

To find: The equation of this line

It is given that a line with intercepts (a,0) and (0,b) has the equation

Now, it is given that the referred line has intercepts (a, 0) and (0, a). Then, using the above statement, the equation of this line can be written as,

. It is already given that . So, we need not mention it again.

It is also given that the point (-2, 4) lies on this line. Then, the coordinates of this point must satisfy the equation of the line.

This implies that,

Now, put in the equation of the line, to get,

So, the equation of the line is .

Learn more about equations of straight lines here:

all it means is function 3