What is the slope of the line passing through the following points: # (5,-8) ,(-7, -4)#?

1 Answer
Dec 31, 2015

The slope, #m#, is #-1/3#.

Explanation:

The equation to find slope from two points on a line is #m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)#, where #(x_1,y_1)# is one point and #(x_2,y_2)# is the other point.

Let #(5,-8)# be Point 1.
Let #(-7,-4)# be Point 2.

Substitute the given values into the equation.

#m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)#

#m=(-4-(-8))/(-7-5)#

Simplify.

#m=(-4+8)/(-12)#

Simplify.

#m=4/(-12)#

Simplify.

#m=-4/12#

Simplify.

#m=-1/3#