In finding a line parallel to another through a specific point, you will need the following formula:
y - y1 = m(x - x1). You will have the slope from the original equation and will be given the point in question. In this formula, y and x are variables, m is the slope, and x1 and y1 are the coordinates in the given point.
Example: Find the line parallel to the following equation: y = 2x - 4 going through the point (5, 3). Remember: 5 is the x-coordinate and 3 is the y-coordinate. The slope is 2.
Substitute the given information into the formula.
y - 3 = 2(x - 5) and distribute the 2 to both elements in the parentheses, or
y - 3 = 2x - 10. Add 3 to both sides of the equation.
y = 2x - 7. Since both slopes are 2, the two lines are parallel to each other.
