What is the slope ?

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What is the slope ?

by mavesum » Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:13 am
In the xy-coordinate system, what is the slope of the line that goes through the origin and is equidistant from the two points P = (1, 11) and Q = (7, 7)?

a)2
b)2.25
c)2.50
d)2.75
e)3

[spoiler]Ans : b[/spoiler]
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by BeatGMATinGVA » Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:31 am
You need to compute the coordinate of the mid-point between 1,11 and 7,7. The x coordinate is given by 1+(7-1)/2 = 4 and y is given by 7+(11-7)/2 = 9

Then compute the slope by dividing y by x = 9/4 = 2.25

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Re: What is the slope ?

by Vemuri » Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:40 am
The point equidistant from the two points can be found out by using the formula ((x1+x2)/2, (y1+y2)/2). So, the point will be ((1+7)/2, (11+7)/2) ==> (4,9).

Now the slope of a line passing through the two points (x1,y1) & (x2,y2) = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) ==> So, the slope of the line passing the two points (0,0) & (4,9) is = (9-0)/(4-0) ==> 9/4 ==> 2.25

Hope this helps.