Question

A line intersects the points (8, 2) and (12, -10). What is the slope of the line in simplest form? m = [?]​

Answer 1

Answer: m = -3

Work Shown:

`(x_1,y_1) = (8,2) \text{ and } (x_2,y_2) = (12,-10)\\\\m = (y_(2) - y_(1))/(x_(2) - x_(1))\\\\m = (-10 - 2)/(12 - 8)\\\\m = (-12)/(4)\\\\m = -3\\\\`

Answer 2

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Answer:
`\textsf{y = -3}`

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Given:
`\textsf{Goes through (8, 2) and (12, -10)}`

Find:
`\textsf{The slope of the line}`

Solution: In order to determine the slope of the line we need to use the slope formula where we just plug in the values and simplify.

Plug in the values

• 
  `\textsf{y = }(y_2 - y_1)/(x_2 - x_1)`

• 
  `\textsf{y = }(-10 - 2)/(12 - 8)`

Simplify the expression

• 
  `\textsf{y = }(-12)/(12 - 8)`

• 
  `\textsf{y = }(-12)/(4)`

• 
  `\textsf{y = -3}`

Therefore, the slope of the line that fits the description that was provided in the problem statement is -3.