Question

What is the slope of the line that contains these points?

X
y
-1
10
1
2
3
-6
5
-14
slope:

Answer 1

Slope is - 4.

Explanation:

The given points are (-1,10), (1,2), (3,-6) and (5,-14).

Now, we have to find the slope of the line containing these points.

We can pick any two points to find the slope. Let they are (-1,10) and (1,2).

Now, we know that the slope of a straight line passing through any two known points
`(x_(1),y_(1))` and
`(x_(2),y_(2))` is given by

`m = (y_(2) - y_(1))/(x_(2) - x_(1))` ........... (1)

Therefore, the slope of the straight line through the given points will be

`(2 - 10)/(1 - (- 1)) = - 4` {From equation (1)} (Answer)