## alyxxx101 what is the slope of the line that passes through (-3,2) and (1,2)? one year ago one year ago

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1. heathernelly

use m=(y2-y1)/(x2-x1)

2. whpalmer4

Slope is the rise over the run. How many units up (or down) does the line go when you move 1 unit right or left? Formula: $m= \frac{(y_2-y_1)}{(x_2-x_1)}$ where $$(x_1,y_1), (x_2,y_2)$$ are the points.

3. alyxxx101

I did. But i'm not sure if my answer is correct...

4. whpalmer4

Okay, show your work and we'll check it for you.

5. whpalmer4

I'll give you a hint: look at the y-values.

6. alyxxx101

|dw:1360351189497:dw|

7. heathernelly

8. alyxxx101

i got 4

9. alyxxx101

Am i way off?

10. heathernelly

the answer is 0 because 0/4 can't be 4

11. whpalmer4

0 divided by 4 is 4?

12. alyxxx101

Oh okay. I see. So the answer to that problem is 0 then?

13. alyxxx101

How does that work though? Can you please show me?

14. heathernelly

yes

15. alyxxx101

Ok thanks! :)

16. whpalmer4

Yes. That's why I suggested looking at the y values. If the y values are identical, the line is horizontal. If the x values are identical, the line is vertical.

17. heathernelly

|dw:1360351384095:dw|

18. whpalmer4

It's good to have an intuitive understanding of what slope means. Positive slope means it goes up as you move to the right. Negative slope means it goes down as you move to the right. Slope > 1 means it goes up more than 1 unit for every unit you move on the x axis. Slope < 1 (but > 0) means it goes up less than 1 unit for every unit you move on the x axis.

19. alyxxx101

what is the slope of the line that passes through (-3,2) and (1,2)? so to this problem...my answer is going to be 0 then?

20. whpalmer4

Yes, the answer is 0. The line is horizontal, because for each point, the y value is the same.

21. alyxxx101

Oh okay! That makes sense now

22. heathernelly

yes the answer is 0! :)

23. whpalmer4

It's really worth practicing finding the slope and seeing what different slopes look like; having a feel for that will save you time and prevent wrong answers in the future. Use a pair of dice to make up points, plot lines between them, and find the slope.

24. alyxxx101

Oh alright. Thanks a ton you guys! I really appreciate it! :)

25. heathernelly

np!