SOLUTION: Why can't slope be written as a decimal or mixed number?
Algebra.Com
Question 59144: Why can't slope be written as a decimal or mixed number?
Answer by funmath(2933) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Why can't slope be written as a decimal or mixed number?
It can be written as a decimal or mixed number, it's just not as useful that way.
When we write the slope as a fraction it is easier to know how high or low to rise up or down from each point on a line and how far to the right or left you need to run.
:
If you said m=2.5 you'd rise 2.5 and run 1.
If you said m=2 1/2 you'd rise 2 1/2 and run 1.
But if you said m=5/2 you'd rise 5 and run 2, it's easier to take whole steps than partial steps.
:
Hope that clears things up.
Happy Calculating!!!
RELATED QUESTIONS
Why can't the slope of a line be expressed as a decimal or a... (answered by checkley71)
Can any non-repeating decimal be written as a... (answered by stanbon)
(a) Find the smallest positive integer which can be written as the sum of
three, four,... (answered by math_helper,greenestamps)
In order to calculate the number of years necessary for a given payment schedule, the... (answered by Theo)
write the provided decimal as a fraction or a mixed number... (answered by checkley77)
write as a decimal and a mixed number or fraction... (answered by CubeyThePenguin)
Can 4/5, 7/8, 5/14 be written as 4/8, 7/14, 5/5 to obtain the same answer? Why or why... (answered by richwmiller)
Can 4/5, 7/8, 5/14 be written as 4/8, 7/14, 5/5 to obtain the same answer? Why or why... (answered by Alan3354)