2006-10-12 10:33:27 · 14 answers · asked by dimples 4 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
the difference in the y-coordinates divided by the difference in the x-coordinates
Suppose your points are (a,b) and (x,y). The slope would be
m = (y-b)/(x-a)
2006-10-12 10:35:15 · answer #1 · answered by MsMath 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The formula for the slope of a linear graph is Rise over Run(y2-y1)/(x2-x1). The slope of a graph of an non linear function is the differential of the function.
2006-10-12 11:01:08 · answer #2 · answered by ahuntertate 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The slope of a line is just the tangent of the angle the line forms with the x axis. You can verify with a graph.
If you know the way to calculate a tangent, you will know that it equals, in a right angle triangle, the opposite side to the angle's lenght divided by the adjacent side (the side which is forming one of the angle's sides).
Looking at the graph, you will see that the opposite side of the angle (which is the smallest between the two angles any line forms with the x axis) is equal to the difference of the y values of any two distinct points of the line.
You will also see that the adjacent side of the angle equals any two x of the line's difference.
So you just have to calculate that using the correct arrangement. You must use the same point's coordinate first on the numerator and on the denominator, the same one after on the numerator and on the denominator as follows:
(y-y')/(x-x')=(y'-y)/(x'-x)
2006-10-12 11:18:04 · answer #3 · answered by Arc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are given two points, you can use this formula:
y2-y1 / x2-x1
This is essentially "rise over run" in a graph.
Take a look at these websites for more help:
http://cs.selu.edu/~rbyrd/math/slope/
http://math.about.com/library/blslope.htm
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/slope.htm
2006-10-12 10:37:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Slope = rise / run
where rise = difference in height
and run = difference in width
or m = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1)
2006-10-12 10:47:26 · answer #5 · answered by lil_jophine 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could go with rise/run or with (y2-y1)/(x2-x1). Hope that helps.
2006-10-12 10:41:39 · answer #6 · answered by eyesthatshine88 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rise over run
example:
if x = 3
y = 6
your rise over run would be
6 over 3
6 / 3
y / x
do you get it now?
2006-10-12 10:54:14 · answer #7 · answered by car_crashhhhhhhh 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
m = tan a,
where a is the angle between the line and the x-axis.
2006-10-12 10:37:44 · answer #8 · answered by ceyasir 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think
slope equals run over rise
2006-10-12 10:45:47 · answer #9 · answered by ♥KiYa♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1)
2006-10-12 10:36:47 · answer #10 · answered by Helmut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋