Formula for Slope—Overview, Equation, Examples — Mashup Math (2024)

Your simple guide to the formula for slope and how to use it

When learning how to graph lines and linear functions—notably in y=mx+b form—and deal with points on the coordinate plane, it is incredibly important to understand slope and how to use the formula for slope to determine the slope of a line that passes through two known points.

This short guide on slope will cover the following topics:

  • What is the formula for slope?

  • What is the formula for a slope of a line?

  • Slope Formula Example

What is the formula for slope?

In math, the formula for slope is used to determine the steepness of a line that passes through two or more points. One of the most basic characteristics of slopes is that they can be positive (↗ increasing from left to right), negative (↘ decreasing from left to right), zero (↔ a horizontal line), or undefined (↕ a vertical line). The formula for slope is used to find the fraction that represents a ration between the change in y over the change in x. In other words, the formula for slope is the change in the y-coordinates over the change in the x-coordinates.

To find the slope of the lines that passes through the points (x1, y1) and (x2,y2), you can use the formula for slope as follows:

The formula for slope is…

m = Δy/Δx → m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1)

In this formula:

  • m represents the slope of the line

  • Δy = change in y, Δx = change in x

  • x1 and x2 are the respective x-coordinates of the given points, while y1 and y2 are the respective y-coordinates of the given points

Note that the 1st point gets the 1 subscript (x1, y1) and the 2nd point gets the 2 subscript (x2, y2).

What is the formula for a slope of a line?

Now that you know that the formula for a slope, m, can be found using the equation m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1), you can extend this understanding to finding the slope of a line.

We can express the equation of a line in slope-intercept form y=mx+b where m equals the slope of the line and b equals the y-intercept.

For example, a line with equation y = (1/3)x + 4 has a slope of 1/3 (m=1/3) and a y-intercept at 4 (b=4).

The formula for a slope of a line is the same formula for slope described above. As long as you know two points that a line passes through, you can use the formula for slope, m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1), to find the slope of a line.

To prove that this is true, let’s take a look at the graph of the previously mentioned linear equation y=1/3x+4 and pick two points on the line that we can put into the formula for slope to see if our result is m=1/3.

The line with equation y=1/3x+4 passes through the points (3,5) and (9,7).

  • The first point (3,5) → (x1,y1)

  • The first point (9,7) → (x2,y2)

Using the formula for slope:

m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1) m = (7 - 5)/(9 - 3) = 2/6 = 1/3

Since 2/6 can be simplified to 1/3, we have just concluded that the slope is indeed 1/3.

Slope Formula Example #1

Now that you understand the formula for slope, let’s work through a slope formula example where you have to find the slope of a line that passes through two given points.

Formula for Slope—Overview, Equation, Examples — Mashup Math (3)

In this first example, you have to find the slope of the line that passes through the points (2,4) and (4,3). To find the slope, simply identify the values of x1, x2, y1, and y2 and the plug these values into the formula for slope and solve (be sure to express your answer in reduced form if possible).

You can easily identify the values of x1, x2, y1, and y2 as follows:

  • The first point (2,4) → (x1,y1)

  • The first point (4,3) → (x2,y2)

Using the formula for slope:

m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1) m = (3 - 4)/(4 - 2) = -1/2

Since -1/2 can not be simplified, we have just concluded that the slope of the line is -1/2.

Formula for Slope—Overview, Equation, Examples — Mashup Math (4)

Slope Formula Example #2

Are you starting to get the hang of using the slope formula? Let’s try another example.

For the second example, you have to find the slope of the line that passes through the points (1,-1) and (3,7).

You can figure out the slope by simply identifying of x1, x2, y1, and y2 and then using the formula for slope to solve. Again, be sure to express your answer in reduced form whenever possible.

You can label the values of x1, x2, y1, and y2 as follows:

  • The first point (1,-1) → (x1,y1)

  • The first point (3,7) → (x2,y2)

Using the formula for slope:

m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1) m = (7 - -1)/(3- 1) = (7 + 1)/(3- 1) = 8/2

Notice that, in the denominator, (7- -1) became (7+1) since a double-negative becomes a positive.

Also notice that the end result of 8/2 is not one of the four choices. This is because 8/2 can be simplified as 4 (since 8 divided by 2 equals 4).

m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1) m = (7 - -1)/(3- 1) = (7 + 1)/(3- 1) = 8/2 = 4

Now you can conclude that the slope of the line that passes through the points is 4.

Formula for Slope—Overview, Equation, Examples — Mashup Math (6)

Do you want to learn more about slope?

Check out our free Intro to Slope lesson guide for students for more information, examples, and an animated video lesson.

And here are a few more resources you may find helpful

  • Parallel Slopes and Perpendicular Slopes

  • Graphing Linear Inequalities in 3 Easy Steps

  • Point-Slope Form Explained!

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Formula for Slope—Overview, Equation, Examples — Mashup Math (2024)

FAQs

Formula for Slope—Overview, Equation, Examples — Mashup Math? ›

We can express the equation of a line in slope-intercept form y=mx+b where m equals the slope of the line and b equals the y-intercept. For example, a line with equation y = (1/3)x + 4 has a slope of 1/3 (m=1/3) and a y-intercept at 4 (b=4).

What is slope formula examples? ›

The slope, or steepness, of a line is found by dividing the vertical change (rise) by the horizontal change (run). The formula is slope =(y₂ - y₁)/(x₂ - x₁), where (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂) are the coordinates of two points on the line. Created by Sal Khan and Monterey Institute for Technology and Education.

How do I write an equation for slope? ›

Learn how to write an equation in slope-intercept form (y=mx+b) for the line with a slope of -3/4 that goes through the point (0,8). We identify the slope (m) and y-intercept (b) to create our equation y = (-3/4)*x + 8.

What is the formula for the slope concept? ›

tan θ = Δy/Δx

So, tan θ to be the slope of a line. Generally, the slope of a line gives the measure of its steepness and direction. The slope of a straight line between two points says (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) can be easily determined by finding the difference between the coordinates of the points.

What is an example of a point-slope form equation? ›

Point-slope form: y-a = m(x-b). For example, your slope (m) is 3 and your point (a,b) is 9,10. You would substitute your y-coordinate for a, and your x- coordinate for b. Your new equation would look like this: y-10 = 3(x-9).

What is the simple equation for slope? ›

We can keep the standard form equation and use the slope and y intercept equations to calculate the slope from the given variable values. Or we can convert the standard form equation to the slope intercept equation y=mx+ b; using this equation, the value m=slope and b=y intercept.

What are the 4 types of slope formula? ›

The line's angle with the x-axis gives the line's steepness. Depending on the line drawn, the slopes are of 4 types. They are positive slope, negative slope, zero slope, and infinite slope. We can calculate the slope of a line using the formula m=y2-y1/x2-x1 or rise/run.

What is the slope formula in words? ›

The slope of a line is a measure of its steepness. Mathematically, slope is calculated as "rise over run" (change in y divided by change in x).

How is slope written in math? ›

The slope is constant throughout a straight line. The slope-intercept form of a straight line can be given by y = mx + b. The slope is represented by the letter m, and is given by, m = tan θ = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1)

How do you write an equation in standard form with slope? ›

We can rewrite an equation in slope-intercept form (y=mx+b) to be in standard form (Ax+By=C) instead.

How do you teach the slope formula? ›

Try thinking about the formula of how to find the slope of a line. Formula: Slope = The change in y divided by the change in x.

What is the simple slope method? ›

Defining Simple Slopes

Simple slopes involve the regression equation for one predictor at specific levels of a second predictor, usually termed a "moderator." Finding simple slopes is not a difficult matter, but testing them for significance is more complicated.

What are the three slope formulas? ›

Forms of linear equations review
Slope-interceptPoint-slopeStandard
y = m x + b ‍y − y 1 = m ( x − x 1 ) ‍A x + B y = C ‍
where ‍ is slope and ‍ is the ‍ -interceptwhere ‍ is slope and ( x 1 , y 1 ) ‍ is a point on the linewhere ‍ , ‍ , and ‍ are constants

How to calculate a slope? ›

Percent of slope is determined by dividing the amount of elevation change by the amount of horizontal distance covered (sometimes referred to as "the rise divided by the run"), and then multiplying the result by 100.

How do you solve slope problems? ›

One can use either the slope formula m = (y2 – y1)/(x2 – x1) or the standard line equation, y = mx + b to solve for the slope, m. By calculation or observation, one can determine that the slope is –3.

What is an example of a slope? ›

For example, the equation y - 3 = 2(x - 1) is in the point-slope form and the slope is 2 since the 2 is in the m spot. The equation y = 3x + 4 is in the slope-intercept form with a slope of 3 since the 3 is in the m spot. For parallel lines, the slope is the same.

What is slope with an example? ›

The slope of a line in a graph is a measure of the steepness or incline of the line. The larger the slope, the steeper the line's graph. The smaller the slope, the flatter the line's graph. A smaller slope will mean a more horizontal line, while a larger slope will mean a more vertical line.

How to do slope step by step? ›

In order to calculate the slope of a line:
  1. Select two points on the line.
  2. Sketch a right angled triangle and label the change in y and the change in x.
  3. Divide the change in y by the change in x to find m.

What is a real example of slope? ›

The concept of slope has many applications in the real world. In construction, the pitch of a roof, the slant of the plumbing pipes, and the steepness of the stairs are all applications of slope. We can assign a numerical value to the inclination of a line by finding the ratio of the rise and run. This is the slope.

References

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