Question

What is the slope of the function, represented by the table of values below?

X=-2,0,4,6,9
Y=10,4,-8,-14,-23

Answer 1

We'll assume that this is a linear function, since "slope" hints at a constant rate of change.

As x increases from -2 to 0, an increase of 2, y decreases from 10 to 4, a change of -6.

Thus, the slope is m = -6 / 2, or m = -3.

Answer 2

The slope of this function is -3.

Explanation:

This a linear function (see the graph made with the submitted points); and linear functions increase or decrease at a constant rate. The slope of a linear function can be calculated using the next formula: m = (Y2 – Y1) / (X2 – X1), where m is the slope, Y2 is the second value while Y1 is the first Y value, and X2 is the second value while X1 is the first X value. It can be calculated using different combinations. If the slope is positive, it means that the line is increasing, while if it is negative, it means that the line is decreasing. Here are some calculations:

m = (Y2 – Y1) / (X2 – X1)

m = (4 – 10) / (0 – (-2))

m = -6 / 2

m = -3 * Because the slope is negative, it means that the line is decreasing.

m = (Y2 – Y1) / (X2 – X1)

m = (-14 – (-8)) / (6 - 4)

m = (-14 + 8) / (6 - 4)

m = -6 / 2

m = -3

m = (Y2 – Y1) / (X2 – X1)

m = (-23 – 10) / (9 – (-2))

m = (-23 – 10) / (9 + 2)

m = -33 / 11

m = -3