5.1.4 The Slope Formula Key Objectives • Find slopes by using the slope formula. • Find slopes from graphs, tables, and equations. • Interpret the meaning of slopes. In the preceding topic, the slope of a line was found as rise/run. The slope of a line can also be found using the slope formula. The coordinates from any two points on a line are used to find its slope using the slope formula.
Example 1 Finding Slope by Using the Slope Formula When using the slope formula to find the slope of a line that contains two given points, first identify which point will be ( x 1 , y 1 ). Then the other point must be ( x 2 , y 2 ). It does not matter which of the two points is identified as ( x 1 , y 1 ).
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