Slope Formula:
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The slope formula calculates the steepness or incline of a line between two points. It represents the ratio of vertical change (rise) to horizontal change (run) between any two points on a line.
The calculator uses the slope formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much the line rises (or falls) for each unit of horizontal movement.
Details: Slope is fundamental in mathematics, physics, engineering, and many real-world applications like road construction, roof pitch calculation, and economic analysis. It helps determine rates of change and linear relationships.
Tips: Enter the coordinates of two points (x₁,y₁) and (x₂,y₂). The calculator will compute the slope. Note: If x₂ = x₁, the slope is undefined (vertical line).
Q1: What does a positive/negative slope indicate?
A: A positive slope indicates the line rises from left to right. A negative slope indicates the line falls from left to right.
Q2: What does a zero slope mean?
A: A zero slope means the line is horizontal, indicating no vertical change as x increases.
Q3: What is an undefined slope?
A: An undefined slope occurs when the line is vertical (x₂ = x₁), meaning infinite steepness.
Q4: Can slope have units?
A: Yes, when coordinates represent physical measurements, slope can have units (e.g., meters/meter, feet/mile).
Q5: How is slope used in real-world applications?
A: Slope is used in construction for ramp design, in geography for terrain steepness, in economics for rate of change, and in physics for velocity calculations.