What is the slope of the line that passes through #(-2,5)# and #(1, 3)#?

2 Answers
Jul 30, 2018

#"slope "=-2/3#

Explanation:

#"calculate the slope m using the "color(blue)"gradient formula"#

#•color(white)(x)m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)#

#"let "(x_1,y_1)=(-2,5)" and "(x_2,y_2)=(1,3)#

#m=(3-5)/(1-(-2))=(-2)/3=-2/3#

Jul 30, 2018

#-2/3#

Explanation:

Recall that slope is given by the formula

#(Deltay)/(Deltax)#, where the Greek letter Delta (#Delta#) is shorthand for "change in".

We just see how much our #y# changes by, and divide it by how much our #x# changes by.

We go from #y=5# to #y=3#, which represents a #Deltay# of #-2#.

We go from #x=-2# to #x=1#, which represents a #Deltax# of #3#.

Dividing the two, we get a slope of

#-2/3#

Hope this helps!