A straight line has the equation ax + by=23. The points (5,-2) and (1,-5) lie on the line. Find the

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A straight line has the equation ax + by=23. The points (5,-2) and (1,-5) lie on the line. Find the values of a and b.

plug in both points and form 2 equations:

1. 5a - 2b = 23
2. 1x - 5b = 23

We can solve this simultaneous equations any one of three ways:

• Substitution Method
• Elimination Method
• Cramer's Rule

No matter which method we choose, we get the same answer:

• a = 3
• b = -4