The slope of the secant line which passes thru the points where x = 1 and x = 3 on the curve y = x^2 ...is 4 ?

Question

is 4 correct?

Answer 1

Hi

Yes, I make it 4 too!

The co-ordinates of the two points are (1,1) and (3,9).

The difference between the two x co-ordinates is 2 (3-1)and the difference between the two y co-ordinates is 8 (9-1).

To find the gradient (posh mathsy word for slope :) we do difference in the y co-ordinates divided by difference in the x co-ordinates so 8 divided by 2 is 4!

Ta Da! Good for you!

K x

Answer 2

No. it's 6.