What is the slope of the line passing through the following points: # (5, -2) ; (2,-6)#?

1 Answer
Jan 18, 2016

The slope is #+4/3#

Explanation:

As (5,-2) is listed first then it is assumed to be the first point.

Given:

For first point the strait line graph
#(x_1,y_1)->(5,-2)#

For the second point on the strait line graph
#(x_2,y_2)->(2-6)#
'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let m be the slope (gradient)

#m=("change in y")/("change in x")#

Thus we have:#" " m-> (y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1) ->((-6)-(-2))/(2-5)#

#=> m=(-4)/(-3) #

But a negative divided by another negative gives a positive answer.

#=> m= 4/3#

The slope is #+4/3#