A line contains points [tex]\(M(1,3)\)[/tex] and [tex]\(N(5,0)\)[/tex]. What is the slope of [tex]\(\overline{MN}\)[/tex]?

A. [tex]\(-\frac{4}{3}\)[/tex]

B. [tex]\(-\frac{3}{4}\)[/tex]

C. [tex]\(\frac{3}{4}\)[/tex]

D. [tex]\(\frac{4}{3}\)[/tex]



Answer :

To determine the slope of the line containing the points [tex]\( M(1,3) \)[/tex] and [tex]\( N(5,0) \)[/tex], we use the slope formula:

[tex]\[ \text{slope} = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \][/tex]

where [tex]\( (x_1, y_1) \)[/tex] and [tex]\( (x_2, y_2) \)[/tex] are the coordinates of points [tex]\( M \)[/tex] and [tex]\( N \)[/tex] respectively.

Let's plug in the coordinates:
- [tex]\( x_1 = 1 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( y_1 = 3 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( x_2 = 5 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( y_2 = 0 \)[/tex]

Substitute these values into the slope formula:

[tex]\[ \text{slope} = \frac{0 - 3}{5 - 1} \][/tex]

Calculate the difference in y-coordinates (numerator):

[tex]\[ 0 - 3 = -3 \][/tex]

Calculate the difference in x-coordinates (denominator):

[tex]\[ 5 - 1 = 4 \][/tex]

Now, we can find the slope:

[tex]\[ \text{slope} = \frac{-3}{4} \][/tex]

Therefore, the slope of the line containing points [tex]\( M \)[/tex] and [tex]\( N \)[/tex] is:

[tex]\[ \boxed{-\frac{3}{4}} \][/tex]

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