Calculus (3rd Edition)

Published by W. H. Freeman
ISBN 10: 1464125260
ISBN 13: 978-1-46412-526-3

Chapter 1 - Precalculus Review - 1.2 Linear and Quadratic Functions - Exercises - Page 18: 31

Answer

$b=4$.

Work Step by Step

The slope of the line passing through $(2,-1), (3,2)$ is $slope=\dfrac{y_1-y_2}{x_1-x_2}=\frac{-1-2}{2-3}= \frac{-3}{-1}= 3$ The slope of the line passing through $(3,2), (b,5)$ is $slope=\dfrac{y_2-y_3}{x_2-x_3}=\frac{5-2}{b-3}= \frac{3}{b-3}$. In order for these three points to lie on the same line, we must have equal slopes: $\frac{3}{b-3}=3$ and then $b-3=1$ hence, $b=4$.
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