Question

Find the slope of the line if it exists.

Answer 1

Pick any two easily identifiable points on that line..

The slope is:

\[Slope = \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\]
Where \((x_1,y_1)\) and\((x_2,y_2)\) are the points you picked.

Answer 2

It will exist as long as the denominator is not 0.

Answer 3

which one?
-1/4
-4
1/4
4

Answer 4

Oh, it's multiple choice.. that's even easier..

Is the graph increasing or decreasing as x increases?

Answer 5

i don't know.

Answer 6

look at the line.. when x gets bigger (more to the right) does the line go up? or does it go down?

Answer 7

Oh it goes up!

Answer 8

So the slope must be positive, not negative.

Answer 9

That narrows it down to just two of your possible answers.

Answer 10

Now, as we move more to the right, does it move up 4 for every 1 space we move right, or does it move up 1 for every 4 spaces we move right?

Answer 11

\[Slope = {\text{Change up & down} \over\text{Change left & right}}\]

Answer 12

So if we change 4 up for every 1 right, then the slope is 4.

If we change 1 up for every 4 right then the slope is 1/4.