Question

How do you find the slope given (11, -2) and (2, -2)?

Answer 1

See below..

Explanation:

Slope of a line `m` passing through `(x_1,y_1)` and `(x_2,y_2)` is given by

`" "m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)`

Plugging in the given values we get

`" "m=(11-2)/(-2+2)`

which is undefined, and this gives rise to a special case. The line with undefined slope is a line parallel to the `y`-axis.

Also, slope is `tan theta`. When `tan theta=`undefined, then `theta=pi/2`, which is parallel to `y`-axis.

Answer 2

Nothing, undefined, or `0`

Explanation:

We can find the slope or gradient using:

`(Deltay)/(Deltax)` Where `Delta` means the 'change in...'

Remembering the coordinates are `(x,y)`

`11 -> 2` we have to `-9`

`-2 -> -2` we do nothing.

Therefore using `(Deltay)/(Deltax)` -> `0/-9`-> which is nothing, or undefined.

As dividing by `0`, or multiplying by `0` gives nothing.