SOLUTION: Determine the slope of a line through points (4,-8) and (3,-6).

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Question 174843This question is from textbook
: Determine the slope of a line through points (4,-8) and (3,-6). This question is from textbook

Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, actuary:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

m=%28y%5B2%5D-y%5B1%5D%29%2F%28x%5B2%5D-x%5B1%5D%29 Start with the slope formula.


m=%28-6--8%29%2F%283-4%29 Plug in y%5B2%5D=-6, y%5B1%5D=-8, x%5B2%5D=3, and x%5B1%5D=4


m=%282%29%2F%283-4%29 Subtract -8 from -6 to get 2


m=%282%29%2F%28-1%29 Subtract 4 from 3 to get -1


m=-2 Reduce


So the slope of the line that goes through the points and is m=-2

Answer by actuary(112) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The formula for the slope of line through two given points is
m(slope) = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1).
Using the values in your problem, the slope is
(-6-(-8))/(3-4)= (-6+8)/(-1) = 2/(-1) = -2
The formula for the slope of a line is sometimes described as the rise/run. With a negative slope, the line is decreasing (moving downward).
I hope that this helps.