In order to find the slope, it is simplest to put this line equation into slope-intercept form. If I rearrange this line to be in the form  y = mx + b , it will be easy to read off the slope m.
While there are several types of transactions classified under the notion of M&A, a merger means a combination of two companies to form a new company, while an acquisition is the purchase of one company by another in which no new company is formed.
consolidate. verb. 1. strengthen, secure, reinforce, cement, fortify, stabilize The Prime Minister hopes to consolidate existing trade ties between the two countries. 2. combine, unite, join, marry, merge, unify, amalgamate, federate, conjoin The state's four higher education boards are to be consolidated.