Algebra practice question

Answer: A. 3

Slope is the change in y over the change in x: (16 − 4) / (5 − 1) = 12 / 4 = 3.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 1/3

You divided the change in x by the change in y. Slope is rise over run — the y-change goes on top: 12/4, not 4/12.

C. 12

12 is just the change in y. Slope compares it with the change in x, so divide by 5 − 1 = 4.

D. 4

4 is the change in x, the denominator of the slope, not the slope itself.

More Algebra questions

• Easy–Medium
  A line passes through the points (0, 3) and (2, 7). What is the slope of the line?
• Easy–Medium
  A gym charges a $25 one-time signup fee plus $15 per month. Which equation gives the total cost C, in dollars,…
• Easy–Medium
  If 5(x − 2) = 3x + 4, what is the value of x?
• Easy–Medium
  A taxi charges a $3.50 base fare plus $2.25 per mile. If a ride costs $19.25 total, how many miles was the rid…
• Easy–Medium
  The equation of a line is 3x + 2y = 12. What is the y-coordinate of the point where the line crosses the y-axi…
• Easy–Medium
  A line in the xy-plane passes through the points (1, 5) and (4, 11). What is the y-intercept of the line?