slopes

I

Imakegames99

New member
Joined
Nov 8, 2004
Messages
3
I have some slope problems I am doing and im using the formula

m = y1 - y2 / x1 - x2

thats for getting m.
After that, im plugging the value of M into this equation.

(y1 - y) = m(x1 - x)

I have some slopes that came out to decimals and i dont believe that those are possible. Here are the numbers for the ones that came out to decimals.

Using the first formula
m = y1 - y2 / x1 - x2
Click to expand...


1. (-4.5, 6) , (2.1 , 3) My Answer = 3/-6.6

2. (2.7 , -6.3) , (-1 , -1.2) My Answer = 5.1/1.7

And this last one for fractions

3. (-3/4 , 5/6) , (1/2 - 5/2) My Answer = 5/6 + 5/2 / -3/4 - 1/2

Thanks, I hope you can point me into the right Direciton.
 
Imakegames99 said:
I have some slopes that came out to decimals and i dont believe that those are possible.
Click to expand...
:shock:

Why on earth, after all your experience with fractional slopes back in algebra, would you think, now that you're in calculus, that slopes and derivatives can only be whole numbers? (And why aren't you simplifying your answers, like you learned back in pre-algebra?)

Eliz.
 
You posted to the calculus forum, so I concluded you were in calculus. You made a surprising statement, and I expressed surprise when I read it.

I took you at your word. I regret that this offended you.

Eliz.
 
Got sorta side tracked with side issues.
m = y1 - y2 / x1 - x2
is typed wrong.
m = (y1 - y2) / (x1 - x2)
is correct.

1. Answer = 3/-6.6 = -5/11 correct

2. (2.7 , -6.3) , (-1 , -1.2)
-6.3-(-1.2) = -5.1
2.7-(-1) = 3.7
Answer = 5.1/1.7 is wrong

3. (-3/4 , 5/6) , (1/2 - 5/2) Answer = 5/6 + 5/2 / -3/4 - 1/2
((5/6)-(-5/2)) / ((-3/4)-(1/2))
and completed
(5+15)/6)/((-3-2)/4) =
(20/6)/(-5/4) =
(10/3)*(4/-5) =
-40/15 =
-8/3
 
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