Finding Slope from Two Points

Pre-Algebra · Axiom Academy

EXAMPLE Finding Slope from Two Points Work the slope formula step by step — and see why the order of the points doesn't change the answer. A line passes through the points and . Find the slope of the line, and check whether the answer changes if we swap which point comes first. Nice work! You found the slope of a line straight from two of its points. The slope formula: measures how fast y changes as x changes. Rise over run: the numerator is the rise (change in y ); the denominator is the run (change in x ). Order doesn't matter: either point can be (x_1, y_1) — just subtract in the same order top and bottom. Result: , so the line rises 2 units for every 1 unit it moves right — a positive slope. This formula is the foundation of every linear relationship — you'll use it constantly throughout algebra.

This is the written version of the interactive lesson above. See the full Pre-Algebra course.