How do you find the slope of a line given two points on the line?

Given: A line that passes through (3,-6) and (1, 8) Example:

Step 1 Label the coordinates as (x1, y1) and (x2, y2).

Step 1 (x1, y1) (3, -6) (x2, y2) (1, 8)

Step 1

Step 2 Substitute the coordinates into the slope formula:

Step 2

Step 2

m=

y2 y1 x2 x1

m=

8 ( 6)
1 3

Step 3 Simplify the expression.

Graphic Organizer by Dale Graham and Linda Meyer Thomas County Central High School; Thomasville GA

Step 3

Step 3

m=

8 ( 6) 14 = = 7 1 3 2

The slope is 7.