document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1102724>Question 1102724</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> What is the slope of the line through (-7,-8)(&#8722;7,&#8722;8)left parenthesis, minus, 7, comma, minus, 8, right parenthesis and (0,4)(0,4)<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #717438 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=math_helper><B>math_helper(2461)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=math_helper><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=math_helper><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=717438\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> slope = rise / run = (change in y value) / (change in x value) = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1)\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "You are free to choose which point to assign to (x1,y1):\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Choosing (x1,y1) = (-7,-8)   ( and therefore (x2,y2)=(0,4) ):\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "     slope = (4-(-8)) / (0- (-7)) =  <b>12 / 7</b>  or about 1.7143  to 4 decimal places.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "—<BR>\n" );
document.write( "You can reverse the assignments of (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) to prove to yourself that the slope calculation is unaffected.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Slope is usually represented by the letter 'm' in the equations of lines.   </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );