Slope refers to the Steepness of a Line
Basics
Slope refers to the steepness of a line.
Line 1 is steeper than Line 2.
Line 1’s slope is greater than Line 2’s slope.
A line is a flat straight figure extending infinitely through two points. (See Line L above.)
x-axis = horizontal
y-axis = vertical
x = horizontal coordinate
y = vertical coordinate
(x, y) = point representing horizontal and vertical coordinates on Line L
(o, b) = y-intercept = point where Line L crosses the y-axis
m = slope
Formulas (Mathematics Formula Sheet)
slope of a line
m =
Formulas (NOT on Mathematics Formula Sheet)
slope as change
m =
Question
What is the slope of Line 1?
Answer
m = 2
Answer Process
slope as change
m =
m = =
= 2
Question
What is the slope of Line 2?
Answer
m =
Answer Process
slope as change
m =
m = =
=
Question
Using the points (3, 1) and (8, 3) in the graph below, calculate the slope of line L.
Answer
m =
Answer Process
(x1, y1) = (3, 1)
(x2, y2) = (8, 3)
slope of a line
m =
m = =
Input | Display | Comment |
![]() |
blinker | clears screen |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
m = |
|
![]() |
Answer | |
Slope |
Question
Express the previous answer in decimal form.
Answer
m = 0.4
Answer Process
See Toggle.
⇔ 0.4
Input | Display | Comment |
![]() |
blinker | clears screen |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
m = |
|
![]() |
||
![]() |
0.4 | Answer (Toggle) |
Slope |
Question
Using the points (1, 2) and (4, 9) in the graph below, calculate the slope of line L in decimal form.
Answer
m = 2.333333333
Answer Process
(x1, y1) = (1, 2)
(x2, y2) = (4, 9)
slope of a line
m =
m = =
= 2.333333333 after toggle
Input | Display | Comment |
![]() |
blinker | clears screen |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
m = |
|
![]() |
||
![]() |
2.333333333 | Answer (Toggle) |
Slope |
Question
Round the previous answer to the nearest tenth.
Answer
m = 2.3
Answer Process
See Rounding.
2.333333333 → 2.3
Question
On the graph below, plot the points (2, 3) and (6, 9), draw a line through them, and calculate the slope of the line in decimal form.
Answer
m = 1.5
Answer Process
(x1, y1) = (2, 3)
(x2, y2) = (6, 9)
slope of a line
m =
m = =
= 1.5 after toggle
Input | Display | Comment |
![]() |
blinker | clears screen |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
m = |
|
![]() |
||
![]() |
1.5 | Answer (Toggle) |
Slope |
Question
On the graph below, plot the points (4, 1) and (10, 2) and calculate their slope in decimal form rounded to the nearest hundredth (without drawing a line).
Answer
m = 0.17
Answer Process
(x1, y1) = (4, 1)
(x2, y2) = (10, 2)
slope of a line
m =
m = =
= 0.166666667 after toggle = 0.17 after rounding
Input | Display | Comment |
![]() |
blinker | clears screen |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
m = |
|
![]() |
||
![]() |
0.166666667 | Answer (before rounding) |
Slope |
Question
On the graph below, plot the points (3, 2.5) and (7, 6.25) and calculate their slope in decimal form to the nearest hundredth (without drawing a line).
Answer
m = 0.94
Answer Process
(x1, y1) = (3, 2.5)
(x2, y2) = (7, 6.25)
slope of a line
m =
m = = 0.9375 =0.94 after rounding
Input | Display | Comment |
![]() |
blinker | clears screen |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
m = |
|
![]() |
0.9375 | Answer (before rounding) |
Slope |
Question
The following table shows the age in years and height in inches of a boy and a girl.
On the grid below the table, plot the x-y coordinates for the boy at ages 2 and 8 and calculate their slope in decimal form to the nearest tenth (without drawing a line).
Boy | Girl | |||
Age (yr) | Height (in) | Age (yr) | Height (in) | |
2 | 34.00 | 2 | 33.50 | |
3 | 37.50 | 3 | 37.00 | |
4 | 40.00 | 4 | 39.50 | |
5 | 43.00 | 5 | 42.25 | |
6 | 45.25 | 6 | 45.00 | |
7 | 48.00 | 7 | 48.00 | |
8 | 50.25 | 8 | 50.00 | |
9 | 52.50 | 9 | 52.50 | |
10 | 54.50 | 10 | 54.25 |
Answer
m = 2.7
Answer Process
(x1, y1) = (2, 34.00)
(x2, y2) = (8, 50.25)
slope of a line
m =
m = = 2.708333333= 2.7 after rounding
Input | Display | Comment |
![]() |
blinker | clears screen |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
m = |
|
![]() |
2.708333333 | Answer (before rounding) |
Slope |
Practice – Questions
1. What is the slope of Line 1?
2. What is the slope of Line 2?
3. Using the points (3.5, 1.5) and (7, 3.25) in the graph below, calculate the slope of line L.
4. On the graph below, plot the points (4, 1) and (8, 2), draw a line through them, and calculate the slope of the line in decimal form.
5. On the graph below, plot the points (1, 4) and (2, 8) and calculate their slope (without drawing a line).
6. The following table shows the age in years and height in inches of a boy and a girl.
On the grid below the table, plot the x-y coordinates for the girl at ages 3 and 9 and calculate their slope in decimal form (without drawing a line).
Boy | Girl | |||
Age (yr) | Height (in) | Age (yr) | Height (in) | |
2 | 34.00 | 2 | 33.50 | |
3 | 37.50 | 3 | 37.00 | |
4 | 40.00 | 4 | 39.50 | |
5 | 43.00 | 5 | 42.25 | |
6 | 45.25 | 6 | 45.00 | |
7 | 48.00 | 7 | 48.00 | |
8 | 50.25 | 8 | 50.00 | |
9 | 52.50 | 9 | 52.50 | |
10 | 54.50 | 10 | 54.25 |
7. With reference to Question 6, express your answer as a fraction.
8. The following table shows the age in years and mileage for Car A and Car B.
On the grid below the table, plot the x-y coordinates for Car A at years 3 and 6 and calculate their slope (without drawing a line).
Car A | Car B | |||
Age | Mileage | Age | Mileage | |
1 | 10000 | 1 | 11000 | |
2 | 22000 | 2 | 20500 | |
3 | 33500 | 3 | 29725 | |
4 | 39000 | 4 | 41000 | |
5 | 48000 | 5 | 50500 | |
6 | 62000 | 6 | 58750 | |
7 | 71000 | 7 | 69900 | |
8 | 83250 | 8 | 81000 | |
9 | 90500 | 9 | 89900 | |
10 | 99500 | 10 | 99500 |
9. The following table shows the age in years and mileage for Car A and Car B.
On the grid below the table, plot the x-y coordinates for Car B at years 2 and 9 and calculate their slope (without drawing a line).
Car A | Car B | |||
Age | Mileage | Age | Mileage | |
1 | 10000 | 1 | 11000 | |
2 | 22000 | 2 | 20500 | |
3 | 33500 | 3 | 29725 | |
4 | 39000 | 4 | 41000 | |
5 | 48000 | 5 | 50500 | |
6 | 62000 | 6 | 58750 | |
7 | 71000 | 7 | 69900 | |
8 | 83250 | 8 | 81000 | |
9 | 90500 | 9 | 89900 | |
10 | 99500 | 10 | 99500 |
10. With reference to Question 9, round your answer to the nearest tenth.
Practice – Answers
1. m = 1
2. m = 2
3. m = 0.5
4. m = 0.25
5. m = 4
6. m = 2.583333333
7.
See Toggle.
8. m = 9500
9. m = 9914.285714
10. m = 9914.3