Find the slope of the line that passes through the two points (3, 8) and (-2, 6).

Question

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Answer 1

The slope of a line is its rise over run. To find the slope, we use the following formula:

(y₂ - y₁) / (x₂ - x₁)

 

In truth, which coordinate point is 1 or 2 doesn't matter, just the consistency. We'll use (3, 8) as point 1, and (-2, 6) as point 2.

 

Let's put in point 1's information:

(y₂ - 8) / (x₂ - 3)

 

Now let's put in point 2's:

(6 - 8) / (-2 - 3)

 

Now we simplify:

-2/-5

The two negatives cancel:

2/5

 

So the slope of this line is 2/5 (it goes up 2 units as it moves to the right 5 units).

Answer 2

If the line passes through both points, then both points can be used to calculate the slop by the formula:

 

slope = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1)

 

Hence slope = (8-6)/[3-(-2)]

 

S = 2/5