The slope of a line is -5. What is the rise if the run is 4?

-20

Step 1: Write an equation

To start off, we will need to write an equation. To do so, we will use the equation for slope, using rise/run. M represents the slope.

M= rise/ run

Step 2: Substitute information

Now that we know the equation, we can substitute information given to us in the question. Let’s start by replacing m with -5, as we are told that this is the slope.

M= rise/ run
-5= rise/ run

Great! Now let’s change the run. The run is said to be 4, so we will put this on the bottom of the fraction, under the rise.

-5= rise/ run
-5= rise/4

Step 3: Solve

Now that we have our final equation, we can solve for the rise. We can do so by getting rise alone on the right side, by undoing the division. Let’s multiply each term by 4, isolating rise in the process.

-5= rise/4
-5 (4)= rise/4 (4)
-20= rise

Step 4: Check your answer

For our rise, we got -20 as an answer. Let’s check if this is correct by getting the original equation, and substituting all of our information.

M= rise/ run
-5= -20/4
-5= -5

This is correct! The rise is -5. Hope this helps! Comment below for more questions.