First we need to find the gradient of the line connecting points a and b:
gradient m = (change in y)/(change in x) = (q - s)/(p -r)
Now we use the following equation:
y - y1 = m(x - x1)
substituting suitable values for (x1, y1) (can be points a or b but we'll use point a this time) and m (calculated above):
Using point a:
y - q = [(q-s)/(p-r)](x - p)
and so the equation in the form y = f(x) is:
y = [(q-s)/(p-r)]x + (q-s)/(p-r) + q