What is the slope of the line that passes through the pair of points (3,5) and (9,4)? I don't want a direct answer, I've been having trouble with this for a long time. Can someone try to explain this to me? please?

Question

anonymous · Answer

@zepdrix anyone?

zepdrix · Answer

Slope is defined to be `vertical change` divided by `horizontal change`.
Think of it like a stair step, you move up, the to the right.

So to get from (3,5) to (9,4),
how far did we move `up`? from 5 to 4 is how much? :o

anonymous · Answer

1

anonymous · Answer

Linear functions...finding the slope of the line...

zepdrix · Answer

From 4 to 5 is 1,
but from 5 to 4 is going to be -1,

if we go from 5 to 4, we're going -1 in the up direction ya? :))

How bout in the other direction,
horizontally we go from 3 to 9

anonymous · Answer

+3

anonymous · Answer

+6*

zepdrix · Answer

cool :)
so we went -1 vertically,
6 horizontally.

So our slope is then, -1/6

zepdrix · Answer

If you prefer using a simple formula,
then um

zepdrix · Answer

Given $\large\rm (x_1,~y_1)$ and $\large\rm (x_2,~y_2)$
Slope is calculated by:
$\large\rm m=\dfrac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}$

zepdrix · Answer

Subtract the y values,
subtract the x values,
and divide.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you for the formula! I couldnt remember it XD

zepdrix · Answer

:3

anonymous · Answer

Thank you for your help too!:D