Understanding Slope

Slope is a measure of Steepness.

Types of Slope Zero Negative Positive Undefined or No Slope

Slope is sometimes referred to as the “rate of change” between 2 points.

used to represent slope The letter “m” is used to represent slope in the linear equation y = mx + b

If given 2 points on a line, you may find the slope using the formula m = y2 – y1 x2 – x1

The formula may sometimes be written as m =∆y . ∆x ∆ represents CHANGE

Find the slope of the line through the points (3,7) and (5, 19). x1 y1 m = 19 – 7 5 – 3 m = 12 2 m = 6

(3, 4) and (-6, -2) m = -2 – 4 -6 – 3 m = -6 -9 m = ⅔

of a line, you can easily find the slope and y-intercept. If given an equation of a line, you can easily find the slope and y-intercept.

equation and locate the m Look at the linear equation and locate the m and b in the form y = mx + b. slope y-intercept

y = 3x + ½ Find the slope and y-intercept of the following equations.

of a line, you can find the If given the graph of a line, you can find the slope by finding the rise over run.

rise = 4 m= rise run run = 5 m= 4/5

rise = -4 m= rise run run = -5 m= -4/-5 = 4/5

If either the rise OR the run is negative, then the whole slope is negative:      

The End