Unit: The Straight Line Module: The Slope of a Line [Page 1 of 1]

Introduction to Slope

• The graph of a linear function is a straight line.

• A line has some degree of steepness, or pitch, which algebra calls its
slope.

Every line has some degree of steepness, or pitch. The

degree of pitch ranges from horizontal, or flat, through all
the levels to vertical, or upright.

Many lines can have the same pitch.

If you know a point’s pitch and any one point on the line,
you can tell exactly where to locate the line on a graph.
And that line is a unique line.

Remember: You can identify and locate any unique line

by knowing two things about it:
1. Its pitch, or slope, and
2. any one of its points.

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 Unit: The Straight Line Module: The Slope of a Line [Page 1 of 1]
Finding Slope Given Two Points

• Slope is the change from one point to another on a line. It is stated as a ratio
(fraction) with change vertically over change horizontally. This is frequently referred
to as rise/run.

• Slope is the measure of pitch or steepness of a line. The larger the slope the
steeper the line. A vertical line is so steep that the sideways change cannot be
measured and its slope is undefined.
y1 − y2 ∆y change in ys
• Slope (m) = = =
x1 − x2 ∆x change in xs
.

In this example, we find the change between the two points

by doing three things:
1. Subtract the two y-values, 5 and 1, and write that as
the numerator of our ratio.
2. Subtract the two x-values, 5 and 1, and write that as
the denominator of our ratio.
3. Reduce the fraction if possible.

The slope is 1 which tells us that the graph is rising at the

same rate it is moving sideways.

In this example, we follow the same process.

Remember: Decide which point is p1 and be sure to use its

coordinates first on both levels. If you don’t, your signs will
be incorrect.

In this case, we have –7 –0 = –7 over

–3 –2 = –5. So, our slope is 7/5. This tells us that the graph
is moving up 7 units for each 5 units it moves to the right.

Note: A positive slope indicates a line that is climbing

when viewed from left to right.
Note: A negative slope indicates a line that is falling when
viewed from left to right.

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Copyright  2001, Thinkwell Corp. All Rights Reserved. 6861 –rev 05/21/2001