find the slope, if it exists, of the line containing the pair of points. (5,0) and (0,-5) the slope m= or the slope is undefined?
\[m={y_{1}-y_{2} \over x_{1}-x_{2}}\]
I'd use the "rise over run" traditional slope equation:\[m=\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\]You are given two points to use, so label one of those points (x1,y1) and the other as (x2,y2) (order doesn't mater), and plug in and solve!
someone answered and said slope undefined Since you are given an X= coordinate only, it goes straight up and down. If you were given Y=coordinate, the slope would be zero.
(-5-0)/(0-5)=-5/(-5)=1 slope is 1
Not true...you are given both x and y for both points. Point #1 sits on the x-axis to the right, and point #2 sits on the y-axis downward. By definition they can't be vertical to each other, so there IS a slope...
if you have (5,2) and (6,2) *see that the y's are the same in bot so slope will be zero if you have (3,4) and (3,9) * see that the x's are the same in both so slope is undefined
so my question is is the answer undefined or is the slope 1
The slope is 1. Only vertical lines have undefined slope. Vertical lines have identical x-values with different y-values. In this example, that's not the case.
londovi & myininaya the problem reads only: x=-5 find the slope if it exists or undefined
it ask find the slope of the line containing two points: (5,0) and (0,-5)
equation for this line is y=x-5
not x=5 and not x=-5
If the problem reads as x = -5, then you have yourself a vertical line (all vertical lines have the form of x = constant), and that would mean you're back to an undefined slope.
myininaya & londovir the problem states x = -5 I am looking at my paper and that is how it reads there is no y involved
thanks londovir that is exactly how it reads you get the medal
lol you should make a new thread if you are asking a different question from this person who posted this question i thought we have been talking about the question that this thread states
@jazi1: Thanks and you're welcome. @myininaya: I know, I was a little confused too! :-)
i got way confused...lol
your slope is 1 lish k not undefined lol
thanks all of you for trying
ah, thank you everyone!
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