Slope

Slope
• The slope of a line means the ratio of the vertical change to the horizontal change between two points on the graph of a line.
slope=
i.e.
slope=
Notice :
Not the value of y/x, but (change in y) / (change in x).

• Especially, when change in x is 1 unit
slope= =(change in y)
Thus,
(for every 1 unit to the right)
slope= the change in y
Example
In Figure 1, the graph rises by 2 units for every 1-unit move to the right, 2 is the slope of the line.
In Figure 2, the graph drops 3 units for every 1-unit move to the right, −3 is the slope of the line.

• In a straight line, the slope is a constant and you can use any two points to calculate the slope.
In the right figure, the graph rises by 2 units for 1-unit to the right, by 4 units for 2-units to the right, by 6 units for 3-units to the right.
Every ratio (change in y) / (change in x) is equal to 2.(i.e. the slope=2)
Figure 1
When a line goes up left to right it has a positive slope.
In Figure 1, the graph rises by 2 units for every 1-unit move to the right, change of y is 2.
slope= =2
Figure 2
In Figure 2, the graph drops by 3 units for every 1-unit move to the right, change of y is −3.
slope= =−3

Summary of slope
• Find two lattice points (points where two grid lines meet) on the line.
Draw a right triangle like a stair step.
From the first point to the second point, think of the vertical change and the horizontal change.
slope=
• Especially, change in y for every change in 1 unit to the right is equal to the slope.
• When a line goes up left to right it has a positive slope.
When a line goes down left to right it has a negative slope.
QuestionFind the slope of the graph described below.
(Select the correct answer from the right column.)
Graph[1 / &ninfin;]
Slope

Correct → , Incorrect →
Result →

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