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How to Find the Slope of a Line From the Coordinates of Two Points on the Line

Every line can be described in terms of its vertical change over its horizontal change, or rise over run. This attribute is called slope. The steeper the slope, the faster the the line rises. If it rises from left to right, it has a positive slope; if it rises from right to left, its slope is negative. You can determine the value of a slope on any given line if you know the coordinates of two of its points. The difference between the y-values equals the rise and the difference between the x-values equals the run.

Instructions

- 1
  Assign x1 and y1 the coordinates of the first point.
  
  For instance, if the coordinates of the first point are (2, 4), then x1 = 2 and y1 = 4.
- 2
  Assign x2 and y2 the coordinates of the second point.
  
  If the coordinates of the second point are (4, 8), then x2 = 4 and y2 = 8.
- 3
  Substitute the values into the slope equation, m = (y1 - y2) / (x1 - x2).
  
  The equation of the line with points at (2, 4) and (4, 8) would look like this: m = (4 - 8) / (2 - 4).
- 4
  Simplify the equation to determine the value of m, or the slope of the line.
  
  m = -4 / -2, or 2.

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