SOLUTION: Find the slope of the line containing the given pair of points. If the line is undefined, state so. Please be sure to show all of your work. (-4, -5) and (-4, 5)

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: Find the slope of the line containing the given pair of points. If the line is undefined, state so. Please be sure to show all of your work. (-4, -5) and (-4, 5)      Log On


   

Question 423322: Find the slope of the line containing the given pair of points. If the line is undefined, state so. Please be sure to show all of your work.
(-4, -5) and (-4, 5)
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

First let's find the slope of the line through the points and


Note: is the first point . So this means that x%5B1%5D=-4 and y%5B1%5D=-5.
Also, is the second point . So this means that x%5B2%5D=-4 and y%5B2%5D=5.


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


m=%285--5%29%2F%28-4--4%29 Plug in y%5B2%5D=5, y%5B1%5D=-5, x%5B2%5D=-4, and x%5B1%5D=-4


m=%2810%29%2F%28-4--4%29 Subtract -5 from 5 to get 10


m=%2810%29%2F%280%29 Subtract -4 from -4 to get 0


Remember, you cannot divide by zero. So this means that the slope is undefined.


Since the slope is undefined, this means that the equation of the line through the points and is x=-4.


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Jim