Question

Find the slope of the line that contains (−5, −3) and (8, −1).

Answer 1

Answer: 2/13

Work Shown:

`(x_1,y_1) = (-5,-3) \text{ and } (x_2,y_2) = (8,-1)\\\\m = \text{slope} = \frac{\text{rise}}{\text{run}} = \frac{\text{change in y}}{\text{change in x}}\\\\m = \frac{\text{y}_(2) - \text{y}_(1)}{\text{x}_(2) - \text{x}_(1)}\\\\m = (-1 - (-3))/(8 - (-5))\\\\m = (-1 + 3)/(8 + 5)\\\\m = \boldsymbol{(2)/(13)}\\\\`

A slope of 2/13 means we go up 2 units and to the right 13 units. If starting at (-5,-3) and following this movement pattern of "up 2, right 13", then we arrive at (8,-1).