Question

Calculate the slope of the line that passes through (8, 7) and (1, -7)

Answer 1

m = 2

Explanation:

To calculate the slope through any two points, use the formula:

`\sf{m=\cfrac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}}`

Substitute the values -

`\sf{m=\cfrac{-7-7}{1-8}}`

`\sf{m=\cfrac{-14}{-7}}`

`\sf{m=\cfrac{14}{7}}`

`\sf{m=2}`

Therefore, m = 2

Answer 2

Answer:
`2`

Explanation:

Given two points:

`P_1=(x_1,y_1)\\P_2=(x_2,y_2)`

we can calculate the slope of the line that passes through them with the following formula:

`m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)`

In this case:

`x_1=8\\y_1=7\\x_2=1\\y_2=-7`

and therefore:

`m=(-7-7)/(1-8)=(-14)/(-7)=2`

Note that it doesn’t matter which point you pick to be the "first" and which you pick to be the "second”.