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

For the function in front of you, the slope is?

XY

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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