Question 201886
Please, I need help. 
for the line 2x-5y=852 
find the slope?
find the slope as a line to it 
thanks sooooo much


Hi...



Don't panic - you can do this.   The equation you are given: 2x - 5y = 852 just needs to be put into a different format.  You need to put the line into the 
y = mx + b equation of a line, which is a SLOPE/INTERCEPT form of an equation of a line.


In the y = mx + b format, the y intercept is always "b" and the slope is always represented by "m".  :-)



How do we put 2x - 5y = 852 into the y = mx + b format?  You just have to solve for y.   Sooo, let's try it:


2x - 5y = 852   (subtract 2x from both sides)

-5y     = - 2x + 852   (now divide -5 from both sides)

  y     =  2/5x - 70 and 2/5


Can you see that 2/5 is your slope? (And I don't mean the 2/5 that came after the -70.  I mean you should see the slope as the 2/5 that is next to the "x" in the equation.  The 2/5 figure is the "m" of your equation (and remember "m" represents the slope.)


You may wonder why you have a POSITIVE 2/5?   Well, you had a -2 that was divided by a -5.  Therefore, a negative divided  by a negative is a POSITIVE. 


SO - your slope is 2/5, and slope is always  rise over run.  

Hope this helps.  :-)