Three points are collinear if the area of the triangle formed by them is zero. Alternatively, the slope of the line segment joining the first two points must be equal to the slope of the line segment joining the second and third points.
Let the points be $A(2, 3)$, $B(0, 4)$, and $C(p, 2)$. The slope $m_{AB}$ is: $$m_{AB} = \frac{4 - 3}{0 - 2} = \frac{1}{-2} = -0.5$$ The slope $m_{BC}$ is: $$m_{BC} = \frac{2 - 4}{p - 0} = \frac{-2}{p}$$
Since the points are collinear, $m_{AB} = m_{BC}$: $$\frac{1}{-2} = \frac{-2}{p}$$ Cross-multiplying gives: $$p = (-2) \times (-2) = 4$$
Final Answer: 4
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