Calculating Slope from a Table of Points

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 28 views

Introduction

In mathematics, the slope of a line is a measure of how steep it is. It is calculated as the ratio of the vertical change (rise) to the horizontal change (run) between two points on the line. In this article, we will explore the concept of slope and how to calculate it using a given table of points.

What is Slope?

The slope of a line is a numerical value that represents the rate of change of the line. It is denoted by the letter 'm' and is calculated as the ratio of the vertical change (rise) to the horizontal change (run) between two points on the line. The formula for calculating the slope is:

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

where (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are two points on the line.

Calculating Slope from a Table of Points

Given a table of points, we can calculate the slope by selecting two points from the table and using the formula above. Let's consider the table of points provided:

x	y
-8	9
-4	6
2	3/2

Part A: What is the Slope from (-8, 9)?

To calculate the slope from the point (-8, 9), we need to select another point from the table. Let's choose the point (-4, 6). Using the formula above, we can calculate the slope as follows:

m = (6 - 9) / (-4 - (-8)) m = (-3) / (4) m = -3/4

Therefore, the slope from the point (-8, 9) is -3/4.

Discussion

The concept of slope is an important one in mathematics, particularly in algebra and geometry. It is used to describe the steepness of a line and is a fundamental concept in understanding the behavior of lines and curves. In this article, we have explored the concept of slope and how to calculate it using a given table of points.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the slope of a line is a measure of how steep it is, calculated as the ratio of the vertical change (rise) to the horizontal change (run) between two points on the line. By using a table of points, we can calculate the slope by selecting two points and using the formula above. In this article, we have calculated the slope from the point (-8, 9) using the table of points provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the slope of a line?
How is the slope calculated?
What is the formula for calculating the slope?
How do I calculate the slope from a table of points?

Answers

The slope of a line is a measure of how steep it is.
The slope is calculated as the ratio of the vertical change (rise) to the horizontal change (run) between two points on the line.
The formula for calculating the slope is m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1).
To calculate the slope from a table of points, select two points from the table and use the formula above.

References

[1] Khan Academy. (n.d.). Slope. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/x2f7f7c/slope
[2] Math Open Reference. (n.d.). Slope. Retrieved from https://www.mathopenref.com/slope.html

Table of Points

x	y
-8	9
-4	6
2	3/2

Calculating Slope from a Table of Points

x1	y1	x2	y2	m
-8	9	-4	6	-3/4
-8	9	2	3/2	-3/4
-4	6	2	3/2	3/4

Note: The table of points is provided in the question, and the calculations are done using the formula m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1).