ACT Math : How to find the slope of a line

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #96 : Algebra

What is the slope of the line perpendicular to ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To begin, it is easiest to find the slope of a line by putting it into the form .   is the slope, so you can immediately find this once you have the format correct.  Thus, solve our equation for :

Now, recall that perpendicular lines have slopes of opposite sign and reciprocal numerical value.  Thus, if our slope is , its perpendicular paired line will have a slope of .

Example Question #96 : Algebra

What is the slope of the line defined by the equation ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The easiest way to find the slope of a line based on its equation is to put it into the form . In this form, you know that  is the slope.  

Start with your original equation .

Now, subtract  from both sides:

Next, subtract  from both sides:

Finally, divide by :

This is the same as:

Thus, the slope is .

Example Question #97 : Algebra

What is the slope of the line represented by the equation ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The slope of an equation can be calculated by simplifying the equation to the slope-intercept form , where m=slope.

Since , we can solve for y. In shifting the 5 to the other side, we are left with .

This can be further simplified to 

, leaving us with the slope intercept form.

 

In this scenario, , so slope .

 

Example Question #31 : Lines

Find the slope of the line  6X – 2Y = 14

 

Possible Answers:

12

-3

3

-6

Correct answer:

3

Explanation:

Put the equation in slope-intercept form:

y = mx + b

-2y = -6x +14

y = 3x – 7

The slope of the line is represented by M; therefore the slope of the line is 3.

 

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