Question

Find the slope of

a) (−7, 1.3) and (−7, 14.2)
b) (−3, 7.2) and (2, −2.3)

Answer 1

For this case we have that by definition, the slope of a line is given by:

$m = \frac {y_ {2} -y_ {1}} {x_ {2} -x_ {1}}$

Where:

$(x_ {1}, y_ {1})$ and $(x_ {2}, y_ {2})$are two points through which the line passes.

Slope 1:

$(x_ {1}, y_ {1}): (- 7, 1.3)\\(x_ {2}, y_ {2}): (-7, 14.2)$

Substituting:

$m = \frac {14.2-1.3} {- 7 - (- 7)} = \frac {12.9} {- 7 + 7}$

It is noted that the slope is undefined.

Slope 2:

$(x_ {1}, y_ {1}): (-3, 7.2)\\(x_ {2}, y_ {2}) :( 2, -2.3)$

$m = \frac {-2.3-7.2} {2 - (- 3)} = \frac {-2.3-7.2} {2 + 3} = \frac {-9.5} {5} = - 1.9$

Answer:

Slope 1: Indefinite

Slope 2: -1.9