Open Response: The points in the table lie on a line. Compute the slope of the line.

\begin{tabular}{|c|r|}
\hline
[tex]$x$[/tex] & [tex]$y$[/tex] \\
\hline
6 & -3 \\
\hline
-2 & 1 \\
\hline
-4 & 2 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}



Answer :

To find the slope of the line that passes through the given points [tex]\((6, -3)\)[/tex], [tex]\((-2, 1)\)[/tex], and [tex]\((-4, 2)\)[/tex], we will use the slope formula:

[tex]\[ \text{slope} = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \][/tex]

where [tex]\((x_1, y_1)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((x_2, y_2)\)[/tex] are any two points on the line.

Let's choose the points [tex]\((6, -3)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((-2, 1)\)[/tex]. Applying these points to the slope formula, we get:

[tex]\[ \text{slope} = \frac{1 - (-3)}{-2 - 6} \][/tex]

First, simplify the numerator:

[tex]\[ 1 - (-3) = 1 + 3 = 4 \][/tex]

Next, simplify the denominator:

[tex]\[ -2 - 6 = -8 \][/tex]

Now, substitute these simplified values back into the slope equation:

[tex]\[ \text{slope} = \frac{4}{-8} \][/tex]

Simplify the fraction:

[tex]\[ \text{slope} = \frac{4}{-8} = -0.5 \][/tex]

Thus, the slope of the line passing through the given points is [tex]\(-0.5\)[/tex].