1. The problem asks why a slope was calculated. 2. In mathematics, the slope represents the rate of change between two points on a line. 3. The formula for slope between points $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$ is $$m=\frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$$. 4. Calculating the slope helps understand how steep a line is and the direction it goes (upwards or downwards). 5. This is important in algebra and coordinate geometry to analyze linear relationships. 6. So, the slope was calculated to find the rate of change or steepness of a line connecting two points.