Question

What is the slope of the line that contains the points (−5, −1) and (−9, 2)?
3
four thirds
negative three fourths
−7

Answer 1

To find the slope of the line that contains the points \((-5, -1)\) and \((-9, 2)\), we use the formula for the slope \(m\) given by:

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

Assigning the points to the variables:
- \( (x_1, y_1) = (-5, -1) \)
- \( (x_2, y_2) = (-9, 2) \)

Now plug in the values:

\[
m = \frac{2 - (-1)}{-9 - (-5)} = \frac{2 + 1}{-9 + 5} = \frac{3}{-4} = -\frac{3}{4}
\]

Thus, the slope of the line that contains the points \((-5, -1)\) and \((-9, 2)\) is

\[
-\frac{3}{4}.
\]

So, the answer is **negative three fourths**.