Mathematical Reasoning
The table shows a linear relationship: x values 0, 2, 4, 6 with corresponding y values 7, 3, -1, -5. What is the slope of the line represented by the table?
- A-1/2
- B-2
- C2
- D-4
Not A. The value -1/2 comes from dividing the change in x by the change in y instead of the change in y by the change in x.
B is right. The slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. Using (0, 7) and (2, 3), the change in y is -4 and the change in x is 2, so the slope is -4/2 = -2. The value -1/2 comes from inverting the ratio, and -4 comes from using only the change in y.