SOLUTION: What is the slope of a line passing through points (5,3) and (4,1) Could you please show me how to find the slope when two points like this are given. Thanks

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: What is the slope of a line passing through points (5,3) and (4,1) Could you please show me how to find the slope when two points like this are given. Thanks      Log On


   

Question 1727: What is the slope of a line passing through points (5,3) and (4,1)
Could you please show me how to find the slope when two points like this are given. Thanks
Answer by longjonsilver(2297) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
hi
by slope, i take it you mean a straight line?
Gradient, m of a straight line is given by:
m+=+%28change_in_y%29%2F%28change_in_x%29+=+%28y2-y1%29%2F%28x2-x1%29
So, decide which of your coordinates are (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) and stick with it in your calculation. However, the choice DOES NOT MATTER, as i will illustrate:
let (x1,y1) be (5,3), so:
m=%281-3%29%2F%284-5%29
hence m+=+%28-2%29%2F%28-1%29. Therefore m, the gradient is +2.
Alternatively, let (x1,y1) be (4,1), so:
m=%283-1%29%2F%285-4%29
hence m+=+2%2F1. Therefore m, the gradient is +2.
Hope this helps.
cheers
Jon.