Question

find the slope if it exists, of the line containing the pair of points. (1,3) and (7,-7) I know you have to do it like -7-3/7-7 and then I get -10/6 and then -1.66666666666667 what do i do to simplify it and write as the answer

Answer 1

then reduce -10/6 to lowest term.

Answer 2

okay and how do i do that . that is what i was asking?

Answer 3

look for a common factor of 10 and 6,,
for example if you have 6/4, 6 and 4 have a common factor of 2, thus you can factor out 2 from both:
2*3 / 2*2 = 3/2
like that. try it to -10/6 ~ :)

Answer 4

i still don't get it

Answer 5

hmm,, well try this one, what are the factors of 10?

Answer 6

5 and..?
what do you multiply by 5 to get 10?

Answer 7

right. 5 and 2 are the factors of 10 because
2 * 5 = 10

now, what are the factors of 6?

Answer 8

3 and 2?

Answer 9

is that right? then what do i do. What is the answer?

Answer 10

yes! that's right! :)
now, from the factors of 10 (which is 2 and 5) and factors of 6 (which is 2 and 3), what number is common?

Answer 11

set 1: 2 and 5
set 2: 2 and 3

what number is common from both set?

Answer 12

right~! :)
now, you can cancel out 2 from both since it is a common factor:
-10/6 = -(2 * 5)/(2 * 3) = -5/3

so there,, :)

Answer 13

so -5/3 is the answer

Answer 14

you don't actually have to convert it to decimal. improper fraction or mixed number is fine, unless it is stated in the problem that you have to convert it. :)