Learning Objectives
Introduction
Tutorial
Slope
Most of you are probably familiar with associating slope
with "rise
over run".
Run means how far left or right you move from point to point. On the graph, that would mean a change of x values.
Here are some visuals to help you with this
definition:
Positive Slope:
Note that when a line has a positive slope it rises up left to right.
Note that when a line has a negative slope it falls left to right.
slope = 0
Note that when a line is horizontal the slope is 0.
slope = undefined
Note that when the line is vertical the slope is undefined.
Given two points and
Note that we use the letter m to represent
slope.
Example 1: Find the slope of the straight line that passes through (7, 5) and (5, 1) or state that the slope is undefined. Then indicate if the line through the points rises (left to right), falls (left to right), is horizontal, or is vertical.
*Plug in x and y values into slope formula
*Simplify
Since the slope is positive, the line would rise (left to right).
*Simplify
The slope of the line is -7/2.
Since the slope is negative, the line would fall (left to right).
*Plug in x and y values into slope formula
*Simplify
The slope of the line is 0.
Since the slope is zero, the line would be horizontal.
*Plug in x and y values into slope formula
*Simplify
The slope of the line is undefined.
Since the slope is undefined, the line would be vertical.
Practice Problems
To get the most out of these, you should work the problem out on your own and then check your answer by clicking on the link for the answer/discussion for that problem. At the link you will find the answer as well as any steps that went into finding that answer.
Practice Problems 1a - 1d: Find the slope of the straight line that passes through the given points or state that the slope is undefined. Then indicate if the line through the points rises (left to right), falls (left to right), is horizontal, or is vertical.
Need Extra Help on these Topics?
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/slope.htm
This webpage helps you with slope.
http://www.math.com/school/subject2/lessons/S2U4L2DP.html
This website covers slopes and y-intercept.
Go to Get Help Outside the
Classroom found in Tutorial 1: How to Succeed in a Math Class for some
more suggestions.
Videos at this site were created and produced by Kim Seward and Virginia Williams Trice.
Last revised on Jan. 16, 2010 by Kim Seward.
All contents copyright (C) 2002 - 2010, WTAMU and Kim Seward. All rights reserved.