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.
comÂ·biÂ·naÂ·tion. n. 1. The act of combining or the state of being combined. 2. The result of combining. 3. An alliance of persons or parties for a common purpose; an association. 4. A sequence of numbers or letters used to open a combination lock.