Question

What is the slope of the line that passes through the ordered pairs (-5,-1) and (5, -7)

Answer 1

To find the slope(m), you use the slope formula:

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

(-5, -1) = (x₁, y₁)

(5, -7) = (x₂, y₂) [It doesn't matter which point you use for the 1st or 2nd point because it has the same result]

Now substitute/plug the points into the equation:

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

`m=(-7-(-1))/(5-(-5))` [Two negative signs cancel each other out and become positive]

`m=(-7+1)/(5+5)`

`m=(-6)/(10)` Simplify the fraction

`m=-(3)/(5)`