Vocabulary

Slope - ratio of the "vertical change" to the "horizontal change" between (any) two distinct points on the line.

Concept

Find the slope of a line given two points.

Rules

1. Find the slope using the formula (y2-y1)(x2-x1).
2. Use the slope for m and the coordinates of either point (as x₁ and y₁) in the formula y - y₁ = m (x-x₁).
3. Simplify the equation and solve for y.

Example

Select the slope of the line that passes through points A (-2, 5) and B (6, 4).

Solution

To find the slope, use the formula(y2-y1)(x2-x1) 

m =4-56-(-2) = -18

Pre-requisite Skills

Slope (7.1.8)