How do you show that the slope of #{(y=at+b),(x=ct+d):}# is #a/c#?

1 Answer
Dec 18, 2015

Please see the explanation below

Explanation:

Each equation is defined using the independent variable #t#

As #t# changes #x# and #y# change accordingly.

Both #x# and #y# are linear functions

For #y# it is a line with slope #a#

We can write this as follows #(\Delta y)/(\Delta t)=a#

Solving for #\Delta y#

#\Delta y=a\Deltat#

For #x# it is a line with slope #c#

Proceeding as before we have

#(\Deltax)/(\Deltat)=c#

Solving for #\Deltax#

#\Deltax=c\Deltat#

The slope of the overall function is

#(\Deltay)/(\Deltax)#

Therefore

#(\Deltay)/(\Deltax)=(a\Deltat)/(c\Deltat)=a/c#

NOTE: #\Delta# means "change in"