using the image graph given:

Use similar triangles to determine the slope of the line

Given:
(0,0)
(1,4)
(2,8)
(3,12)

Also given
1,4,2,8

1 answer

To find the slope of the line using the given points, we can use the formula for slope, which is defined as the change in \( y \) divided by the change in \( x \):

\[ \text{slope} (m) = \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x} = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \]

We can use any two points from the given (0,0), (1,4), (2,8), (3,12).

Let's take the first two points: (0,0) and (1,4).

Using these points:

  • \( x_1 = 0 \), \( y_1 = 0 \)
  • \( x_2 = 1 \), \( y_2 = 4 \)

Now, substituting these values into the slope formula:

\[ m = \frac{4 - 0}{1 - 0} = \frac{4}{1} = 4 \]

So the slope of the line is \( 4 \).

We can verify this with another pair of points, such as (1,4) and (2,8):

  • \( x_1 = 1 \), \( y_1 = 4 \)
  • \( x_2 = 2 \), \( y_2 = 8 \)

Substituting again:

\[ m = \frac{8 - 4}{2 - 1} = \frac{4}{1} = 4 \]

Finally, using the last two points (2,8) and (3,12):

  • \( x_1 = 2 \), \( y_1 = 8 \)
  • \( x_2 = 3 \), \( y_2 = 12 \)

Substituting again:

\[ m = \frac{12 - 8}{3 - 2} = \frac{4}{1} = 4 \]

In all cases, we end up with a slope of \( 4 \). Therefore, the slope of the line is \( 4 \).