When finding the gradient between two points, do we go from left to right?

Question

whpalmer4 · Answer

Are you trying to find the slope between (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)?  If so, it doesn't matter which point is which, just that you put them in the formula in the same order.

anonymous · Answer

i.e. the equation is $$m=\frac{ y_{2}-y_{1} }{ x_{2}-x_{1} }$$

is the y2 point meant to be the right-most one?

whpalmer4 · Answer

Doesn't matter.  Try (0,0) and (1,1).  Isn't (0-1)/(0-1) = (1-0)/(1-0)?

whpalmer4 · Answer

More formally, $$\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1} * \frac{-1}{-1} = \frac{y_1-y_2}{x_1-x_2} $$

anonymous · Answer

so it doesn't matter which point I subtract from which?

anonymous · Answer

even if they are negatives, positives, a mix of both etc...?

whpalmer4 · Answer

You just have to be careful that you are consistent - if the right-most point is the first one for your y values, it has to be the first one for your x values.

anonymous · Answer

is it bad that I am still unsure of this and I have already completed my A-Levels? (The level before university in the UK) lol

whpalmer4 · Answer

Oh, I don't think it is bad that you think it might matter, not having investigated it closely.  Better to be unsure of what you don't know for sure, right? :-)