Why do we use the variable "m" for slope?

Answer 1

Quite possibly because "s" represents the side lengh of a square.

To avoid confussion, I suppose.

a = side of a triangle, amplitude, apothem
b = side of a triangle, base
c = side of a triangle, contant of an expression
d = distance
e ≈ 2.17
f = f(x) = function
g = g(x) = function
h = height
i = imaginary number = -1
j = jules
k = constant of variation
l = length, slant height
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m = meters is the best I can do! And of course SLOPE.
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n = a number
o = (too much like the number zero)
p = perimeter
q = a quantity
r = radius
s = side length of a square,
t = time
u = a quantity
v = velocity
w = speed
x = a number
y = a number
z = a number

GREAT question! ♥
I've often wondered the same thing, myself.
I look forward to seeing other people's answers! ;o)
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Great link Jim Burnell.
http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/52477.html

Very well explained.
Thank you.

I always wondered about that, myself.
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I know m stands for slope, but why is it m, why not another letter?

2 months ago - 3 answers - Report Abuse

Best Answer - Chosen By Voters

"Slope is derived from the Latin root slupan for slip. The relation seems to be to the level or ground slipping away as you go forward. The root is also the progenitor of sleeve (the arm slips into it) and, by dropping the s in front we get lubricate and lubricious (a word describing a person who is "slick", or even "slimy").

Many variations of where the idea of M for slope originated seem to be mostly myth. One of the most common is that the letter was used by Descarte because it was the first letter of some French word or another that related."
Source:
http://www.math.duke.edu/education/webfeats/Slope/Slopederiv.html

Link to this questioin:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060925200924AAV7VKA

Answer 2

There are a lot of good answers to this question here:

http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/52477.html