Question

What is the slope of the line passing through `(-4,-8); (-2,0)`?

Answer 1

Use the gradient (slope) formula: `m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)=(0-(-8))/(-2-(-4))=8/2=4`

Explanation:

The slope of a line is given by dividing the vertical 'rise' over the horizontal 'run':

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

It doesn't matter which point we use as 1 and which we use as 2: the math will work out to give the same slope. Don't believe me? Try it and see!