Concept understanding — Straight Lines — Forms of the Equation
The general (linear) equation of a straight line is ax+by+c=0, where a,b are not both zero; the set of solutions of any such equation is a straight line in the plane. Because dividing through by b (or a) removes one constant, every line's equation genuinely contains only two independent arbitrary constants — so exactly two independent pieces of information (two points, or a point and a slope, or two intercepts, etc.) are enough to pin a line down uniquely.
Slope. The angle of inclinationθ of a line is the angle it makes with the x-axis, measured counter-clockwise; the slopem=tanθ (undefined when θ=π/2, i.e. for a vertical line). Equivalently, through two points (x1,y1),(x2,y2) with x1=x2, m=x2−x1y2−y1; from the general form, m=−a/b (b=0). Three points are collinear exactly when the slope of any one pair equals the slope of another pair sharing a point.
Intercepts. The x-intercept is where a line meets the x-axis (y=0); the y-intercept is where it meets the y-axis (x=0). (x=0 is itself the equation of the y-axis; y=0 is the equation of the x-axis.)
The six forms (two conditions each, all interconvertible by algebra):
An isosceles right triangle with the axes has equal legs a (intercept form x/a+y/a=1) and hypotenuse a2; solve a(2+2)=4+22.
A line meeting the positive x- and y-axes at equal intercepts a forms an isosceles right triangle with the axes (legs of length a each, right angle at the origin).
Step 1. Write the intercept form with equal intercepts.
ax+ay=1⟹x+y=a.
Step 2. Find the hypotenuse. By Pythagoras, the hypotenuse joining (a,0) and (0,a) has length a2+a2=a2.