Find the slope of the line that passes through (8, 3) and (5, 1).

Question

Find the slope of the line that passes through (8, 3) and (5, 1).

Answer 1

To find the slope of a line passing between two points, remember that slope is the ratio of the vertical "rise" of the line to the horizontal "run."

 

m=rise/run

 

Specifically, rise is the difference between the two y values, and run is the difference between the two x values.

 

m=rise/run=(y₂-y₁)/(x₂-x₁)=(1-3)/(5-8)=(-2)/(-3)=2/3 (the negatives cancel, giving a positive slope)

 

Therefore, m=2/3