Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Practice Test

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Study for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) with multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your preparation with practice flashcards and hints. Get ready for your GMAT exam!

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What formula represents the slope between two points in a coordinate plane?

Distance = x₂ - x₁
Slope = (y₂ - y₁) / (x₂ - x₁)
Slope = (x₂ + x₁) / (y₂ + y₁)
Slope = rise + run

The correct answer is: Slope = (y₂ - y₁) / (x₂ - x₁)

The formula that accurately represents the slope between two points in a coordinate plane is determined by the change in vertical position (rise) divided by the change in horizontal position (run) between those two points. Specifically, if you have two points represented as (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂), the slope is calculated as (y₂ - y₁) / (x₂ - x₁). This formula captures how much the y-coordinate changes as the x-coordinate changes, thus providing a clear numerical representation of the steepness and direction of the line connecting the two points. A positive slope indicates that as you move from left to right, the line rises, while a negative slope indicates a decline. The other choices do not accurately define the slope. For instance, the first option simplifies the distance between x-coordinates rather than the rise over run. The third option incorrectly combines the x and y coordinates in a way that doesn’t define slope. Lastly, the fourth choice is vague and does not provide a mathematical relationship necessary to calculate the slope accurately.