Exercise 44 Page 466

Observing the given graph, we can see that the line passes through the points (0,3) and (1,1). 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 see that as the graph travels from left to right, the rise, or change in y, is -2. Similarly, the run, or change in x, is 1. slope=rise/run ⇔ m=-2/1=-2 We can confirm this answer by using the Slope Formula. m = y_2-y_1/x_2-x_1 We will use the given points to solve for the slope.

m = y_2-y_1/x_2-x_1

SubstitutePoints

Substitute ( 0,3) & ( 1,1)

m=1- 3/1- 0

SubTerms

Subtract terms

m=-2/1

MoveNegNumToFrac

Put minus sign in front of fraction

m=-2/1

ExponentOne

a^1=a

m = -2

We obtained the same number as before. We can be sure the slope is - 2.