Part A:
Given the two points A(3, -2) and B(7, 4),
Find the slope of the line that passes through these two points.
Explain the formula for calculating slope and show each step in detail.
Describe in words what the slope value represents in this case (e.g., direction, steepness, positive/negative, etc.).
Part B:
Suppose point B is moved to a new position, B'(7, -2).
What is the new slope of the line between A(3, -2) and B'(7, -2)?
How does this new slope compare to the one in Part A?
What kind of line is formed in this case (e.g., horizontal, vertical, diagonal)? Please explain why.
Full Answer Section
Step 3: Calculate the change in
x (
x2−x1). Change in
x=7−3=4
Step 4: Divide the change in
y by the change in
x.
m=46
Step 5: Simplify the fraction.
m=23
Therefore, the slope of the line that passes through points A(3, -2) and B(7, 4) is
23.
3. Describe What the Slope Value Represents:
The slope value of
m=23 in this case represents the following:
- Positive Slope: Since the value is positive, it indicates that the line is moving upwards from left to right. As you move along the line from the left to the right, the y-value increases as the x-value increases.
- Steepness: The numerical value of 23 (or 1.5) indicates the steepness of the line. For every 2 units you move horizontally to the right (the "run"), the line moves 3 units vertically upwards (the "rise"). A larger absolute value of the slope would mean a steeper line, while a smaller absolute value would mean a flatter line.
- Direction: The line is generally moving in an upward, rightward direction on a coordinate plane.
Part B: Analyzing the New Slope with Point B'
1. What is the new slope of the line between A(3, -2) and B'(7, -2)?
Given the new points: A
(x1,y1)=(3,−2) B'
(x2,y2)=(7,−2)
Step 1: Identify the coordinates.
x1=3 y1=−2 x2=7 y2=−2
Step 2: Calculate the change in
y (
y2−y1). Change in
y=−2−(−2)=−2+2=0
Step 3: Calculate the change in
x (
x2−x1). Change in
x=7−3=4
Step 4: Divide the change in
y by the change in
x.
m=40
Step 5: Simplify the fraction.
m=0
The new slope of the line between A(3, -2) and B'(7, -2) is
0.
2. How does this new slope compare to the one in Part A?
The new slope (
m=0) is significantly different from the slope in Part A (
m=23).
- In Part A, the slope was positive and had a numerical value of 1.5, indicating an upward-sloping line.
- In Part B, the slope is exactly zero, indicating a line with no vertical change.
3. What kind of line is formed in this case? Please explain why.
In this case, a
horizontal line is formed.
Explanation:
A horizontal line is formed because the
y-coordinates of both points A and B' are the same (both are -2). This means there is no change in the vertical position (the "rise") between the two points. When the change in
y is zero, the slope will always be zero, provided there is a change in
x. A slope of zero is the defining characteristic of a horizontal line.