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Slope of the Line

The document explains the concept of slope in mathematics, defined as the ratio of vertical change to horizontal change between two points on a line, denoted by 'm'. It provides methods for calculating slope using two points, equations, and graphs, along with examples demonstrating positive, negative, zero, and undefined slopes. Additionally, it highlights the significance of the slope value in determining the trend of a graph.

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juanmanuortiz060
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4 views

Slope of the Line

The document explains the concept of slope in mathematics, defined as the ratio of vertical change to horizontal change between two points on a line, denoted by 'm'. It provides methods for calculating slope using two points, equations, and graphs, along with examples demonstrating positive, negative, zero, and undefined slopes. Additionally, it highlights the significance of the slope value in determining the trend of a graph.

Uploaded by

juanmanuortiz060
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Discussion

slope of a line – The ratio of vertical distance and horizontal distance between
two points. Slope is the number that measures the steepness of line. The slope is denoted
by the symbol “m.”
Here is an easy way to remember slope:
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒
𝑚= =
𝑟𝑢𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒
➢ Vertical change – change in y
➢ Horizontal change – change in x

Finding the slope of a line using the following:

1. Two Points
𝑦2−𝑦1 𝑦1−𝑦2
𝑚= or 𝑚 =
𝑋2−𝑋1 𝑋1−𝑋2
2. Equation
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where m is the slope
𝑎
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑚 = −
𝑏
3. Graph
FINDING THE SLOPE OF A LINE USING TWO POINTS.
Example 1. Find the slope of the line that passes through (3, 6) and (-4, 5)
Solution:
Let (3, 6) be (x1, y1) and (-4, 5) be (x2, y2)
Use the formula:
𝑦2−𝑦1
𝑚= 𝑋2−𝑋1
5−6 −1 1
So, 𝑚 = = =7
−4−3 −7

What happens if we let (-4, 5) be (x1, y1) and


(3, 6) be (x2, y2)?
6−5 1 1
So, 𝑚 = = =7
3 − (−4) 3+4

➢ Clearly, it does not matter which point is called (x1, y1) and which is called (x2, y2)
1
➢ Note that a line whose slope is 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 7 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡.
7

Example 2. Find the slope of the line that passes through (-5, 6) and (2, -4)
Solution:
Let (-5, 6) be (x1, y1) and (2, -4) be (x2, y2)
Use the formula:
𝑦2−𝑦1
𝑚= 𝑋2−𝑋1
−4−6 −10 −10
So, 𝑚 = = =
2−(−5) 2+5 7

The slope of this line is negative since the y-value decreased from 6 to -4 as the
line moves from left to right.
Example 3. Find the slope of the line that passes through (-3, -2) and (5, -2)
Solution:
Let (-3, -2) be (x1, y1) and (5, -2) be (x2, y2)
Use the formula:
𝑦2−𝑦1
𝑚= 𝑋2−𝑋1

−2−(−2) −2+2 0
So, 𝑚 = = =8=0
5−(−3) 5+3

Therefore, the slope of a horizontal line is zero.


Example 4. Find the slope of the line that passes through (4, 5) and (4, -6)
Solution:
Let (4, 5) be (x1, y1) and (4, -6) be (x2, y2)
Use the formula:
𝑦2−𝑦1
𝑚= 𝑋2−𝑋1
−6−5 11
So, 𝑚 = = = 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
4−4 0

Therefore, the slope of a vertical line is undefined


Since division by 0 is not defined.
For no. 2 and 4 examples the teacher will call someone to solve it on the board.

The value of the slope m tells the trend of the graph.

➢ If m is POSITIVE, then the graph moves upward from left to right.


➢ If m is NEGATIVE, then the graph moves downward from left to
right.
➢ If m is ZERO, then the graph of a line is horizontal.
➢ If m is UNDEFINED, then the graph of a line is vertical.

FINDING THE SLOPE OF A LINE USING AN EQUATION.

➢ To find the slope of a line using an equation, simply express the equation in the form of
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑚 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒.
➢ To find the slope of a line using ax + by = c, simply solve for y such that
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎
𝑦= − 𝑥+ , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑚 = − 𝑏
𝑏 𝑏

FINDING THE SLOPE OF A LINE USING TWO POINTS.


Example 1: Determine the slope of each line given the following equations.
Since the equation is already in the form of
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, we can easily identify the value of m.

Example 2. What is the slope of the line whose equation is 7x – 3y – 10 = 0?


Solution: Method 1
Method 2 7𝑥 − 3𝑦 − 10 = 0 𝑊𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚: 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐
−𝑎
7𝑥 − 3𝑦 = 10 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑚 =
𝑏
−𝑎 −7
So, a = 7 and b = -3. Substituting to m = becomes 𝑚 =
𝑏 −3

7
Therefore, m = 3

FINDING THE SLOPE OF A LINE USING GRAPHS.


Example 1.
Notice that in the graph at the right, the line
touches the points (-5, 4) and (4, 0).
This tells us that we can use the formula
𝑦2−𝑦1
𝑚= in finding the slope of a line.
𝑋2−𝑋1
0−4 −4 −4
So, 𝑚 = = =
4−(−5) 4+5 9

Example 2.
To find the slope of the line at the right,
You may identify two points that is within the line
For example, (0, 0) and (3, 5).
𝑦2−𝑦1 5−0 5
Use 𝑚 = , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑚 = =
𝑋2−𝑋1 3−0 3

You may also use other points like (-3, -5) and
5−(−5) 5+5 10 5
(3, 5). That is 𝑚 = = = =
3−(−3) 3+3 6 3

➢ Remember that any of the two points that touches the line can be uses as values of be
(x1, y1) and be (x2, y2) in finding the slope.

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