Question 1141997
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You should of course understand the slope formula and how to use it.<br>
But mathematics will be more enjoyable if you UNDERSTAND it, instead of relying on mysterious formulas.<br>
A common sense definition of slope is the ratio of how far you move up or down on the graph compared to how far you move moving left to right.<br>
So picture (on paper, if you want; or mentally, if you can) the two given points (-1,-3) and (0,2).<br>
The first point is to the left of the second; so look at how far you travel in the y direction as you move in the x direction.<br>
From the first point to the second, you move 1 unit to the right (-1 to 0); in doing that, you move 5 units in the y direction (-3 to 2).<br>
Then by the common sense definition of slope, the slope is 5/1 = 5.