Algebra practice question

Answer: -3

If the x-intercept is a, the y-intercept is 3a, so the slope is (3a − 0)/(0 − a) = −3. (The point (2, 5) then fixes a = 11/3, but the slope does not depend on it.)

Common wrong answers

If you answered 3

3 is the ratio, not the slope; the line falls from (0, 3a) to (a, 0).

If you answered -1/3

−1/3 inverts the ratio.

If you answered 5/2

5/2 is the slope from the origin to (2, 5), but the line does not pass through the origin.

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