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Slope Formula
The slope formula provides a way to calculate the slope of a line directly from the coordinates of any two points on it, without needing to graph the line or count grid squares. For two points and , the slope is:
In words: the -coordinate of the second point minus the -coordinate of the first point, divided by the -coordinate of the second point minus the -coordinate of the first point.
This formula is equivalent to because the rise between two points equals the difference of their -coordinates (), and the run equals the difference of their -coordinates (). For example, between the points and , the rise is and the run is , giving .
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A logistics coordinator is using the slope formula to determine the rate of fuel consumption for a delivery truck over a long-distance route. True or False: The slope formula can only be used if the first point has a smaller -coordinate than the second point .
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