Question

A line passes through the points (4, -3) and (-1, -12). What is the slope of this line?

Answer 1

Slope:

m =
`(9)/(5)`

If needed in decimal format it would be 1.8.

Explanation:

Use this formula:

m = y2 - y1 / x2 - x1

For the points (4, -3):

4 is x1 and -3 is y1

For the points (-1, -12):

-1 is x2 and -12 is y2

Plug into the formula:

m = -12 + 3 / -1 - 4

(Since you are subtracting for the y's and 3 is negative you change the subtraction sign to an addition sign.)

m = -9 / -5

(Since both 9 and 5 are negative that makes the fraction positive because to negatives cancel each other out.)

m = 1.8 or 9/5