Calculate the Slope: Linear Function in Coordinate Plane Analysis

Slope Analysis with Visual Line Direction

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

XY

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Choose whether the slope is negative or positive
00:04 Let's select 2 points on the graph
00:07 Let's pay attention to the direction of progression, to know what comes before what
00:12 The function is decreasing, therefore the slope is negative
00:15 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

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

XY

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Observe the given graph and the plotted line.
  • Step 2: Determine the direction of the line as it moves from left to right across the graph.
  • Step 3: Understand that a line moving downwards from left to right represents a negative slope.

Now, let's work through these steps:

Step 1: The graph shows a straight line that starts higher on the left side and descends towards the right side.

Step 2: As the line moves from left to right, it descends. This is a key indicator of the slope type.

Step 3: A line that moves downward from the left side to the right side of the graph (decreasing in height as it proceeds to the right) is characteristic of a negative slope. Conversely, a positive slope would show a line ascending as it moves rightward.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is the line has a negative slope.

3

Final Answer

Negative slope

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Direction Rule: Left to right movement determines slope sign
  • Visual Method: Downward sloping line = negative slope like descent
  • Verification: Rising lines are positive, falling lines are negative ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing slope direction with line steepness
    Don't focus only on how steep the line looks = missing the direction! Steepness shows magnitude, but direction (up or down from left to right) determines the sign. Always trace the line from left to right to identify if it rises (positive) or falls (negative).

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

How do I remember which direction means positive or negative slope?

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Think of climbing stairs! When you move from left to right: going upward is positive (like climbing up), going downward is negative (like going down). The line in this problem goes down from left to right, so it's negative.

What if the line looks really steep - does that change the slope sign?

+

No! Steepness affects the slope's value (how big the number is), but direction determines the sign (positive or negative). A very steep downward line is still negative, just a large negative number.

Can I tell the exact slope value from looking at the graph?

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You need specific points to calculate the exact value using riserun \frac{rise}{run} . From visual inspection alone, you can only determine if it's positive or negative by the direction.

What would a zero slope look like?

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A horizontal line has zero slope! It doesn't rise or fall as you move from left to right - it stays perfectly flat. Vertical lines have undefined (not zero) slope.

Why is it important to always check from left to right?

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This gives you a consistent reference direction! If you sometimes check right to left, you'll get confused about signs. Always use left-to-right as your standard direction for determining slope sign.

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