Question 131643: i need a definition of slope and the only thing that the webs tell me is how to do it, and i need a definition Answer by checkley71(8403) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! I'LL TRY TO EXPLAIN THE SLOPE.
IN THE LINE FORMULA [Y=mX+b] THE m VALUE IS THE SLOPE.
WE CALCULATE THE SLOPE FROM 2 SETS OF POINTS.
AN EXAMPLE IS:
(2,4) (4,9)
THE FORMULA IS:
(Y2-Y1)/(X2-X1)
(9-4)/(4-2)
5/2 OR 2.5 IS THIS SLOPE.
The numerator indicates how many units change in the y direction.
The denominator indicates how many units change in the x direction.
THIS VALUE IS THE INCLINATION OF A LINE.
A PLUS SLOPE IS A LINE THAT GOES FROM THE BOTTOM LEFT TO THE TOP RIGHT.
A NEGATIVE SLOPE GOES FROM LOWER RIGHT TO THE TOP LEFT.
2 EXAMPLES ARE SHOW ON THE FOLLOWING GRAPH.
THE RED LINE HAS A POSITIVE SLOPE WHILE THE GREEN LINE HAS A NEGATIVE SLOPE.
Y=4X+6 (RED LINE)
Y=-5X-4 (GREEN LINE) (graph 300x200 pixels, x from -6 to 5, y from -10 to 10, of TWO functions 4x +6 and -5x -4).
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