Example

Graphing the Line Through (1,3)(-1, -3) with Slope 44

To graph the line passing through the point (1,3)(-1, -3) with slope m=4m = 4, apply the four-step point-and-slope procedure.

Step 1 — Plot the given point. Mark (1,3)(-1, -3) on the coordinate plane.

Step 2 — Identify the rise and the run. Because the slope is a whole number, write it as a fraction with denominator 11:

m=riserun=41m = \frac{\text{rise}}{\text{run}} = \frac{4}{1}

The rise is 44 and the run is 11.

Step 3 — Count the rise and the run to mark the second point. Starting at (1,3)(-1, -3), move up 44 units to reach (1,1)(-1, 1), then move right 11 unit to reach (0,1)(0, 1).

Step 4 — Connect the points with a line. Draw a straight line through (1,3)(-1, -3) and (0,1)(0, 1).

Checking with a third point. Since m=4m = 4 can also be written as m=41m = \frac{-4}{-1}, return to (1,3)(-1, -3) and count down 44 units (rise of 4-4) and left 11 unit (run of 1-1) to locate a third point at (2,7)(-2, -7). If this point falls on the same line, the graph is confirmed correct.

This example illustrates a key technique: when the slope is an integer, express it as a fraction over 11 so that the rise and run can be read directly.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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