Slope Formula:
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The slope formula calculates the steepness or incline of a line between two points in a coordinate system. It represents the ratio of vertical change to horizontal change between any two points on a line.
The calculator uses the slope formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio of vertical change (difference in y-values) to horizontal change (difference in x-values) between two points.
Details: Slope is a fundamental concept in mathematics, physics, engineering, and economics. It describes the rate of change, steepness of terrain, linear relationships between variables, and is essential in calculus for finding derivatives.
Tips: Enter the coordinates of two points. The calculator will compute the slope. If the x-coordinates are equal, the slope is undefined (vertical line).
Q1: What does a positive slope indicate?
A: A positive slope indicates that the line rises as it moves from left to right, showing a positive relationship between variables.
Q2: What does a negative slope indicate?
A: A negative slope indicates that the line falls as it moves from left to right, showing an inverse relationship between variables.
Q3: What does a zero slope mean?
A: A zero slope means the line is horizontal, indicating no change in the y-value as the x-value changes.
Q4: When is slope undefined?
A: Slope is undefined when the line is vertical (x₁ = x₂), as division by zero is undefined in mathematics.
Q5: How is slope used in real-world applications?
A: Slope is used in various fields including civil engineering (road gradients), economics (supply and demand curves), physics (velocity calculations), and geography (terrain steepness).