16) Write the equation that describes the line in slope- intercept form. slope \( =-4 ;(1,-3) \) is on the line

To write the equation of the line in slope-intercept form (y = mx + b), we start with the slope \( m = -4 \). We can plug in the point (1, -3) to find the y-intercept \( b \). Substituting into the equation: \(-3 = -4(1) + b\) leads to \( b = 1 \). Therefore, the equation of the line is \( y = -4x + 1 \). The slope-intercept form is like the superhero of linear equations; it gives you both the slope and y-intercept right at your fingertips! Imagine wanting to understand how steep a hill is (slope) and where it starts on the y-axis (intercept)—that's exactly what this form delivers! In practical terms, having a line equation in this form can help you predict outcomes. For example, if this line represented a budget plan (where y could be your expenses), you could quickly figure out how adjusting your spending (x-axis) affects your overall balance. Thus, it's a handy tool for making real-world financial decisions!