standard form is ax+by=z (z is a number) y-8=-1/2(x+4) get rid of th enasty parenthaseese by multilying both sides by 2 2y-16=-(x+4) distribute the negative 2y-16=-x-4 add 16 to both sides 2y=-x+12 add x to both sides 1x+2y=12 x+2y=12 tada distribute
