Question

What happens to the value obtained for the slope if the coordinates of the two ordered pairs aren't subtracted in the same order? what is an example.

All I know is that you would get the wrong slope for the ordered pairs, I do not know why. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

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

for a line between (x1,y1) and (x2,y2)

If the y2-y1 in the numerator is not consistent with the x2-x1 in the denominator, you get the wrong sign for the slope. For example,
(y2-y1)/(x1-x2) = -m

Answer 2

thanks now I know exactly what the situation is.