Find the slope of the line that passes through \( (1,2) \) and \( (9,5) \). Simplify your answer and write it as a proper fraction, improper fraction, or integer

To find the slope of the line that passes through the points \( (1,2) \) and \( (9,5) \), you can use the slope formula: \[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \] Substituting the points into the formula, we have: \( y_2 = 5 \), \( y_1 = 2 \), \( x_2 = 9 \), and \( x_1 = 1 \). Thus, the slope \( m \) is: \[ m = \frac{5 - 2}{9 - 1} = \frac{3}{8} \] So the slope of the line is \( \frac{3}{8} \). To add a little more fun to this mathematical journey, did you know that the concept of slope originated in geometry, but it plays a pivotal role in various fields today? Engineers use slope to design ridgelines, while economists analyze slope in supply and demand graphs to understand market behavior better! Speaking of practical uses, if you're ever tasked with finding a slope in real life, remember it's all about rise over run. It’s like navigating a steep hill while cycling: the rise is how high you climb, while the run is the horizontal distance you cover. Understanding how steep the hill is can help you prepare for your workout and enhance your riding strategy!