Find the formula for the function.
-A point P in the fourth quadrant lies on the graph of the function f(x) = -x2. Express the slope of the line joining P to the origin as a function of x.
A) $m = - x$
B) $m = \frac { 1 } { x }$
C) $m = x$
D) $m = - 2 x$

Question

Find the formula for the function.
-A point P in the fourth quadrant lies on the graph of the function f(x) = -x2. Express the slope of the line joining P to the origin as a function of x. 
A) $m = - x$
B) $m = \frac { 1 } { x }$
C) $m = x$
D) $m = - 2 x$

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The slope of a line joining a point on the graph to the origin is given by the change in y over the change in x. For the function $f(x) = -x^2$, a point P on the graph has coordinates $(x, -x^2)$. The slope of the line joining P to the origin (0,0) is $\frac{-x^2 - 0}{x - 0} = -x$.

Find the Formula for the Function m=−xm = - xm=−x B) m=1xm = \frac { 1 } { x }m=x1​

Find the Formula for the Function $m = - x$ B) $m = \frac { 1 } { x }$