SOLUTION: Ok, I need some practice and help could someone provide me with the steps to this problem? Find the slope of the line passing through the points (5, 7) and (-7, -12). I k

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Question 246548: Ok, I need some practice and help could someone provide me with the steps to this problem?

Find the slope of the line passing through the points (5, 7) and (-7, -12).

I know the formula is y2-y1/x2-x1

Here's what i got:
-12-7/ 7-5
Here's the answer that I got -19/-12
I think this isn't right because when i divide them I got a decimal.
Answer by richwmiller(17219) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You can have a decimal as the slope. It often is.
You have to subtract y's and x's
The y's are 7 and -12
The x's are 5 and -7
the rise y's are the numerator and the run the x's are the denominator
your answer is correct but you made a mistake in setting it up.
you started with the second point
(-12-7)/(-7-5)=-19/-12
You forgot the minus in the 7 of the denominator otherwise it would be +2 and not -12