Calculate Slope of Linear Function: Points A(0,-10) and B(4,1)

Slope Calculation with Two Given Points

In the drawing of the graph of the linear function passing through the points A(0,10) A(0,-10) y B(4,1) B(4,1)

Find the slope of the graph.

A(0,-10)A(0,-10)A(0,-10)CCCB(4,1)B(4,1)B(4,1)xy

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Find the slope of the graph
00:05 We will find the slope using 2 points
00:20 We will use the formula to find the slope using 2 points
00:29 We will substitute appropriate values according to the given data and solve to find the slope
00:51 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

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1

Understand the problem

In the drawing of the graph of the linear function passing through the points A(0,10) A(0,-10) y B(4,1) B(4,1)

Find the slope of the graph.

A(0,-10)A(0,-10)A(0,-10)CCCB(4,1)B(4,1)B(4,1)xy

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we need to calculate the slope of the line passing through the points A(0,10) A(0, -10) and B(4,1) B(4, 1) .

The formula for the slope m m of a line that passes through two points (x1,y1) (x_1, y_1) and (x2,y2) (x_2, y_2) is:

m=y2y1x2x1 m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}

Given the points A(0,10) A(0, -10) and B(4,1) B(4, 1) , we identify:

  • x1=0,y1=10 x_1 = 0, y_1 = -10
  • x2=4,y2=1 x_2 = 4, y_2 = 1

Substituting these values into the slope formula, we have:

m=1(10)40 m = \frac{1 - (-10)}{4 - 0}

This simplifies to:

m=1+104=114 m = \frac{1 + 10}{4} = \frac{11}{4}

The fraction 114\frac{11}{4} can be converted to a mixed number:

114=234 \frac{11}{4} = 2\frac{3}{4}

Therefore, the slope of the graph is 234 \bm{2\frac{3}{4}} .

3

Final Answer

234 2\frac{3}{4}

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Formula: Use m = (y₂ - y₁)/(x₂ - x₁) for any two points
  • Technique: Substitute A(0,-10) and B(4,1) to get (1-(-10))/(4-0) = 11/4
  • Check: Convert 11/4 to mixed number: 11 ÷ 4 = 2 remainder 3, so 2¾ ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Subtracting coordinates in wrong order
    Don't calculate (y₁ - y₂)/(x₁ - x₂) = (-10-1)/(0-4) = -11/-4 = wrong sign! This reverses both numerator and denominator, giving the opposite slope direction. Always subtract consistently: second point minus first point in both numerator and denominator.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

What is the solution to the following inequality?

\( 10x-4≤-3x-8 \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do we subtract y-coordinates in the numerator and x-coordinates in the denominator?

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The slope formula measures rise over run. The numerator (y₂ - y₁) gives you how much the line goes up or down, while the denominator (x₂ - x₁) tells you how far it moves left or right.

What does it mean that the slope is positive?

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A positive slope like 234 2\frac{3}{4} means the line goes upward from left to right. For every 4 units you move right, the line goes up 11 units!

Can I use the points in reverse order?

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Yes! You can use B as point 1 and A as point 2: 10104=114=114 \frac{-10-1}{0-4} = \frac{-11}{-4} = \frac{11}{4} . Just be consistent with which point is first in both numerator and denominator.

How do I convert the improper fraction to a mixed number?

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Divide the numerator by the denominator: 11 ÷ 4 = 2 with remainder 3. So 114=234 \frac{11}{4} = 2\frac{3}{4} . The quotient becomes the whole number, remainder becomes the new numerator!

What if one of my coordinates is zero?

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Zero coordinates make the calculation easier! In this problem, A(0,-10) has x = 0, so the denominator becomes 4-0 = 4. Don't worry about zeros - just substitute them like any other number.

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