Question

What is the slope of the line containing (-2, 5) and (4, -4)?

Answer 1

To find the slope of a line that passes through two points \((x_1, y_1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)\), you can use the formula for the slope \(m\):

\[
m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}
\]

Given the points \((-2, 5)\) and \( (4, -4)\):

Here, \((x_1, y_1) = (-2, 5)\) and \((x_2, y_2) = (4, -4)\).

Now, substitute the values into the slope formula:

\[
m = \frac{-4 - 5}{4 - (-2)} = \frac{-4 - 5}{4 + 2} = \frac{-9}{6} = -\frac{3}{2}
\]

Thus, the slope of the line containing the points \((-2, 5)\) and \((4, -4)\) is

\[
\boxed{-\frac{3}{2}}
\]