Precalculus Examples

$(4, 7)$ and $(1, 3)$

Step 1

Slope is equal to the change in $y$ over the change in $x$ , or rise over run.

$m = \frac{change in y}{change in x}$

Step 2

The change in $x$ is equal to the difference in x-coordinates (also called run), and the change in $y$ is equal to the difference in y-coordinates (also called rise).

$m = \frac{y_{2} - y_{1}}{x_{2} - x_{1}}$

Step 3

Substitute in the values of $x$ and $y$ into the equation to find the slope.

$m = \frac{3 - (7)}{1 - (4)}$

Step 4

Simplify.

Tap for more steps...

Step 4.1

Simplify the numerator.

Tap for more steps...

Step 4.1.1

Multiply $- 1$ by $7$ .

$m = \frac{3 - 7}{1 - (4)}$

Step 4.1.2

Subtract $7$ from $3$ .

$m = \frac{- 4}{1 - (4)}$

Step 4.2

Simplify the denominator.

Tap for more steps...

Step 4.2.1

Multiply $- 1$ by $4$ .

$m = \frac{- 4}{1 - 4}$

Step 4.2.2

Subtract $4$ from $1$ .

$m = \frac{- 4}{- 3}$

Step 4.3

Dividing two negative values results in a positive value.

$m = \frac{4}{3}$

Step 5