Question

What is the slope of (-2,-1) and (2,-3) in simplest form

Answer 1

`\boxed {\boxed {\sf m= - ( 1)/(2) \ or \ -0.5}}`

Explanation:

The slope of a line tells us the steepness and direction of the line. It is "rise over run" or the change in y over the change in x.

The formula for calculating slope is:

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

Where (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂) are the points the line passes through. We are given the points (-2, -1) and (2, -3). If we match the value and its corresponding variable we see that:

• x₁= -2
• y₁ = -1
• x₂ = 2
• y₂ = -3

Substitute the values into the formula.

`m= ( -3 - -1)/(2 - -2)`

Solve the numerator and denominator. Remember that 2 back to back negative/subtraction signs become a positive/addition sign.

• -3 - -1 = -3 +1 = -2

`m= \frac {-2}{2--2}`

• 2 - - 2= 2+2 = 4

`m= (-2)/(4)`

Simplify the fraction. Both the numerator and denominator can be divided by 2.

`m= (-2/2)/(4/2)`

`m= - (1)/(2)`

The slope of the line is -1/2 or -0.5