What is the slope of (-3, 0), (3, 2), and (5, -4)?

Question

I really need help with my homework! Please include how you solved the problem, not just the answer. Thank you very much!

Answer 1

Hi Cheria,

 

Slope measures the rate of change between two points

 

In your problem you have three points, so you could find the slope between each pair of points.

 

Not sure if that is what you are looking for but I will show you using two points and then you can solve the others.

 

slope = Change in Y/Change in X

 

(-3,0)  and (3,2)

 

Change in y = 2 -0 = 2

 

Change in x = 3-(-3) = 6

 

slope = 2/6  or 1/3

 

Pick the other two pairs of points and find the slope using the steps above

 

Hope this helps

Answer 2

Hello, Cheria..

Why do you have three points?  If you plot the points in the coordinate plane, you will get a triangle.  Are you trying to find the slope of each side?  These points can also represent 3 lines... OK, lets to the slope of each line or side of the triangle.   For reference purposes, I will name each point A,B and C.

A(-3,0)

B(3,2)

C(5,-4)

 

We need to use the formula for the slope which is m= (y2-y1)/(x2-x1)

The slope of AB is (2-0)/[3-(-3)]=2/6=1/3

The slope of AC is (-4-0)/[5-(-3)]= -4/8= -1/2

The slope of BC is (-4-2)/(5-3)= -6/2=-3

 

There you have it, Cheria. I hope this is what you wanted.  Please rate my answer :)

 

D.Y. T.