Question

If a line segment has endpoints (2, –5) and (–1, –1), what is its slope?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

The slope can be found by using the formula: `m = (color(red)(y_2) - color(blue)(y_1))/(color(red)(x_2) - color(blue)(x_1))`

Where `m` is the slope and (`color(blue)(x_1, y_1)`) and (`color(red)(x_2, y_2)`) are the two points on the line.

Substituting the values from the points in the problem gives:

`m = (color(red)(-1) - color(blue)(-5))/(color(red)(-1) - color(blue)(2)) = (color(red)(-1) + color(blue)(5))/(color(red)(-1) - color(blue)(2)) = 4/-3 = -4/3`