Chapter 0: Problem 39
Find the slope of the line containing the given pair of points. If a slope is undefined, state that fact. $$(2,-3) \text { and }(-1,-4)$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The slope is \frac{1}{3}\.
Step by step solution
01
- Understanding the Slope Formula
The slope of a line passing through two points \(x_1, y_1\) and \(x_2, y_2\) is given by the formula \[m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}\].
02
- Identify the Coordinates
Here, the coordinates given are \(2, -3\) and \(-1, -4\). Assign \(x_1 = 2, y_1 = -3\) and \(x_2 = -1, y_2 = -4\).
03
- Substitute into the Slope Formula
Substituting the identified coordinates into the slope formula: \[m = \frac{-4 - (-3)}{-1 - 2} = \frac{-4 + 3}{-1 - 2} = \frac{-1}{-3}\].
04
- Simplify the Expression
Simplify the expression obtained: \[m = \frac{-1}{-3} = \frac{1}{3}\].
05
- State the Slope
The slope of the line passing through the points \(2, -3\) and \(-1, -4\) is \frac{1}{3}\.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Slope Formula
Calculating the slope of a line is an essential skill in coordinate geometry. The slope of a line measures its steepness and direction. It's defined using two distinct points on the line. The slope formula is \[\begin{equation} m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}\tag{1}\end{equation}\]where
- ( x_1, y_1 ) are the coordinates of the first point
- ( x_2, y_2 ) are the coordinates of the second point
- A positive slope indicates a line rising from left to right
- A negative slope indicates a line falling from left to right
- A zero slope indicates a horizontal line
- An undefined slope indicates a vertical line
Coordinate Geometry
Coordinate geometry, also known as analytic geometry, describes the relationship between algebra and geometry through graphs and equations. Key concepts include:
- Points: Defined by coordinates ( x, y ) on a plane
- Lines: Defined by linear equations, slopes, and intercepts
- Distance: Measures between points using the distance formula
- Midpoint: Average of x and y coordinates of two points
Linear Equations
Linear equations are the foundation of algebra and coordinate geometry. They represent straight lines and have a general format: \[\begin{equation}y = mx + c\tag{2}, \end{equation}\]where
- y represents the dependent variable
- x signifies the independent variable
- m is the slope of the line
- c is the y-intercept, where the line crosses the y-axis