1. January 21, 2015

2.  Slope: the ratio of the difference of the vertical distance (rise) to the difference of the horizontal distance (run)  Vertical Change: the number of spaces moved up or down on a graph. “UP” movement is represented by a positive number. “Down” is a negative number.  Horizontal Change: the number of spaces moved right or left on a graph. Movement to the right is indicated by a positive number and movement to the left is indicated by a negative number.  Linear: A line representing points on a coordinate plane that lie on a straight line; that is, the rate of change is constant.  Linear Function: any function that graphs to a straight line. The function has either one or two variables with no exponents or powers.

5.  There are 4 types of slope: positive, negative, zero and no defined slope.  How to remember which type is which: We always “read slope” from left to right, just like reading a book.

6.  Positive Slope: A line has a positive slope if it is going uphill from left to right.

7.  Negative Slope: A line has a negative slope if it is going downhill from left to right.

8.  Zero Slope: if a line has zero slope then as you move along the line from left to right, the line is level. Or, in other words, the line is horizontal....

9.  No Defined Slope: A vertical line. There is no right or left side.

11.  How to find the slope of a line on a graph:  USE THE “COUNTING FOR SLOPE METHOD” 1. Use any 2 points that the line goes through. 2. GOING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Count the number of units up (positive) or down (negative) 3. Count the number of units right. This will form a triangle on the graph. 4. Use these 2 values in a fraction or ratio. 5. This ratio is the slope!

12.  How to find the slope of a line with just 2 points and no graph:  USE THE: SLOPE FORMULA 1. Choose to start with one of the points. 2. Subtract the y-coordinates. THAT DIFFERENCE IS YOUR NUMERATOR 3. Subtract the x-coordinates. THAT DIFFERENCE IS YOUR DENOMINATOR 4. Write as a ratio of ____________ and ______________where necessary.

13.  How to find the slope of a line with just 2 points and no graph: Common Mistakes: #1: switching around the x and y #2: not starting with the same point each time