Exercise 16 Page 298

By observing the given graph, we can see that the line passes through the points (- 2,2) and (0,- 3). One way to use a graph to find the slope of a line is to count out the change in x and y.

We can tell from the given graph that the rise, or change in y, is - 5. We can also see that the run, or change in x, is 2. slope=rise/run ⇔ m=- 5/2 ⇔ m=- 5/2 We can confirm this answer by using the Slope Formula. m = y_2-y_1/x_2-x_1 Let's use the given points to solve for the slope.

m = y_2-y_1/x_2-x_1

SubstitutePoints

Substitute ( - 2,2) & ( 0,- 3)

m=- 3- 2/0-( -2)

SubNeg

a-(- b)=a+b

m=- 3-2/0+2

AddSubTerms

Add and subtract terms

m=- 5/2

MoveNegNumToFrac

Put minus sign in front of fraction

m=-5/2