Question

Find the slope, if it exists, of the line containing the pair of points.

(-16, -2) and (-20, -18)

Answer 1

It looks like the slope exists since the difference of x-values does not equal to zero.

Answer 2

m = y2 - y1/x2 - x1
m = -18-(-2)/-20-(-16)
m = -18+2/-20+16
m = -16/-4
m = 4

The slope is 4

Answer 3

To find the slope when two points are given, use the Slope Formula.

Check out this example from my website.
http://chilimath.com/algebra/intermediate/line/slope-formula.html#example1

Answer 4

the slope, "m", can be found using the slope formula:\[m = \frac{ y _{1} - y _{2} }{ x _{1} - x _{2} }\]where you use your given points that are in the form:\[(x _{1}, y _{1})\]and\[(x _{2}, y _{2})\]

Answer 5

So, x1=-16, y1=-2, x2=-20, and y2=-18

So, you substitute those values into the formula. Anytime that the 2 x's are not the same, you will get a slope. The slope will be undefined when the x's are the same and in that case, the line will be vertical.

Answer 6

Thank you all so much

Answer 7

You're quite welcome!

Answer 8

but then it says to type an interger or simplified fraction

Answer 9

The formula to find the slope is m = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1).

Substituting the values we get...

\[m=\frac{ -18-(-2) }{ -20-(-16) }\]
\[=\frac{ -16 }{ -4 }\]
\[=4\]

Answer 10

Once you make the subsitutions, you will get either an integer or a fraction that may or may not need simplification.

Answer 11

Making sense now?

Answer 12

yes it does

Answer 13

That's the important part, when a person sees how its done and can do other problems from it. That's a good formula to memorize. Good luck in all of your studies!

Answer 14

Thank you, I have more to post but I am going to close this question