Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Practice Exam

The expression \((y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)\) represents the slope of the line that passes through the points \((x_1, y_1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)\). Slope is a measure of the steepness or incline of a line and is calculated as the change in the vertical coordinate (y-values) divided by the change in the horizontal coordinate (x-values). Specifically, it quantifies how much \(y\) changes for a given change in \(x\). This representation is fundamental in algebra and geometry because it describes how quickly one variable changes in relation to another and is a key concept in the study of linear functions. The other options do not apply to this expression. The quadratic formula pertains to finding the roots of quadratic equations, quadratic roots specifically represent the solutions to those equations, and the difference of squares is an algebraic identity. Hence, only the notion of slope is directly represented by the given expression.