Question

Find the slope of the following lines

Explain how you got the answer

Answer 1

`-\displaystyle(4)/(3)`

Explanation:

Slope describes the change in y divided by the change in x.

Solving Using Slope Formula

One way to find slope when you are given 2 points is the slope formula.

• Slope =
  `\displaystyle(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)`

To solve, plug in the x and y-values and simplify. For this question, let (-2, 3) represent the (x₂, y₂) and (1, -1) represent (x₁, y₁).

• 
  `\displaystyle(3-(-1))/(-2-1)=-(4)/(3)`

This shows that the slope of this line is -4/3.

Solving Through Counting

When given the graph of a function, you can also count out the slope. Starting from the left point, count the change in y-values and the change in x-values. Remember, when the y-values decrease, the change should be negative. The y-value changes by -4 and the x-value changes by +3.

Since the slope is change in y over change in x, the slope is -4/3.