This is too hard for my brain!?

Question

I am getting ready to take the college placement test on Monday and I can not figure this out! Someone please help me out and show me how to figure this out. The question I am having a hard time with is this:

What is the slope of the line that contains the points (2,5) and
(-4,4)?

Can someone PLEASE help!! I have to do good on this test or I won't be accepted into the field I want to major in. Thanks!

The field I am entering is Massage Therapy and I am not so sure why I have to know algebra to take it .. but whatever.
This is for a placement test for the college and the massage therapist said I need to do well on my placement test in oreder to be 1 of the few selected for her classes.

Answer 1

if given two points (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) then

slope= (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1)

so..
slope = (4 - 5)/(-4 - 2)
= (-1)/(-6)
= 1/6

Answer 2

It depends on where + and - is on the matrix!

It also depends on where X and Y are on the matrix.

You have to read the defintions of the test.

-4 is below +2 and 4 is behind 5 in most graphs. Is that enough of a hint,
but you really have to read the parameters.

Draw a cross.

Everything ABOVE is +

Everyting BELOW is -

Everything to the LEFT is -

Everything to the RIGHT is +

Now look at the numbers and draw a line between then.

This is the MOST common geometrical graph.

Since the Second paramters are both + you really don't need the -

so

Decide left or right top or bottom, which is the - and the +

Typically I'd say the TOP is + and the BOTTOM is -

This means it is an steep angle going from bottom left to top right.

Draw a matrix

----------------------5
----------------------4
----------------------3
----------------------2
----------------------1
----------------------0
---------------------- -1
---------------------- -2
---------------------- - 3
---------------------- -4
----------------------- -5

1 2 3 4 5 6

Put down the DOTs and draw a line!

You have a 50/50 chance of being wrong or right.

Now please tell me you are NOT majoring in either Theater Arts, Small Partical Physics or Brain Surgery!

If you're a TA major, I'm gonna pull your pants down and spank your naked rear end util it glow red and yes I'll look at all your GIRLS parts!

If it's Physics or Surgery I expect to see you selling me a Big Mac at McDonalds next week!

Answer 3

I answered a similar question this morning. I actually have an illustrated example in pdf form if you write me with an email address. Here is the example. The numbers aren't yours but the method is the same.

The equation is equivalent to the Pythagorean theorem a^2 + b^2 = c^2. Given the two points plotted (-2,3) and (6,7) a line can be plotted between them, in this case it will be a diagonal. (You can do this on graph paper, it may help you understand what I am about to explain.)

Now plot a line that extends from (-2,3) to (6,3), basically a straight line between the X coordinates.

Now drop another line from (6,7) to (6,3) creating a line between the Y coordinates. You will have formed a right triangle. This is the shape on which the equation is based. (I wish I could accompany this with illustrations it would be so much easier to follow.)

Your original line is the c^2 length in the formula above.

So, if we substitute your values for X and Y we get.

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

(6 - (-2))^2 + (7-3)^2 = c^2

8^2 + 4^2 = c^2

64 + 16 = c^2

80 = c^2

c = square root of 80

Answer 4

I hate Algebra so I understand your pain. However, if this is necessary for the field of study you're to major in, you should know how to solve this simple of an equation as this.

Good luck to you and all the best...no offense, though, but you may want to change your field of study.

Answer 5

Too much English for me.