Finding the Slope of a Line in Algebra

What is the formula for calculating the slope of a line?

• m = (y1 - y2) / (x1 - x2)

• m = (x2 - x1) / (y2 - y1)

• m = (x1 - x2) / (y1 - y2)

• m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)

If a line rises 2 units and runs 3 units to the right, what is its slope?

• -3/2

• -2/3

• 2/3

• 3/2

In the formula m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1), what do y2 and y1 represent?

• The change in x values

• The slope of the line

• The y-coordinates of two points

• The x-coordinates of two points

Given points (0, 2) and (-3, 0), what is the slope of the line?

• -2/3

• -3/2

• 2/3

• 3/2

If a line travels down 3 units and runs 4 units to the right, what is its slope?

• 4/3

• -3/4

• -4/3

• 3/4

What is the slope of a horizontal line?

• Undefined

• Zero

• Positive

• Negative

Why is the slope of a vertical line undefined?

• Because the rise is zero

• Because the line is horizontal

• Because the rise and run are equal

• Because the run is zero

For a horizontal line, what will always be the same for any two points?

• The y-coordinates

• The x-coordinates

• The slope

• The run

Using the formula method, what happens if the x-values of two points on a line are the same?

• The slope is negative

• The slope is positive

• The slope is undefined

• The slope is zero

Which method might be easier for visual learners to calculate the slope of a line?

• Using the formula m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)

• Using a graphing tool

• Using the rise over run method

• Using a calculator