Taylor H.

asked • 06/09/15

What is the slope

x + 2y = -8

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Daniel S. answered • 06/09/15

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The slope is defined as the change in y per change in x, so we need to put it in the form y=mx+b, where m is the slope.
Let's try to isolate the y. Subtract x from both sides-->2y=-8-x. Now divide both sides by 2-->y=-x/2-4. The slope is therefore -1/2
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David W.

Now, if you've done this a lot, or if you write "standard form" as Ax + By = C, then the slope is -A/B and the y-intercept is C/B   (check it out! then memorize it).   Also important to learn is that a line that is perpendicular to the line Ax + By = C  has a slope of +A/B and is written in "standard form" as Bx - Ay = D  ( you need a point on the line to find the y-intercept).   Further, any line that has a standard form equation of n*Ax + n*By = n*C is parallel to the line Ax + By = C (so it never intersects (wow, this is a lot of info).
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06/09/15

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