The Slope of a Line

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The Slope of a Line
Algebra Lesson 6-1
Created by Jeff M. Downs
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Important Vocabulary Terms
The slope of a line is the ratio of the vertical
rise to the horizontal run between any two
points on the line.
You can describe steepness by using slope of a
line.
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The Slope Ratio
vertical rise
slope
horizontal run
so
vertical rise 10
10
2
2


slope
5
1
Remember to always simplify the ratio.
horizontal run 5
4
Lets Try It Out!
Lets try and find the slope of a hill that has a
vertical rise of 40ft and a horizontal run of
200ft. Let m represent the slope.
vertical rise 40 ft
horizontal run 200 ft
Dont touch that button unless you have tried it
on your own first!
S
Click the green solution button to check your
own work
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Solution
Apply the formula- vertical rise to horizontal run
Vertical rise 40 ft
40 ft.
1

40

200 ft.
5
Horizontal run 200 ft
Find the GCF
1
The slope of the hill is
5
back
forward
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USING A COORDINATE PLANE TO FIND SLOPE
The coordinates are (2,2) and (6,5)
Use the formula
y
.
rise
5 - 2
3
7


.
run
6 - 2
4
5
3
1
-1
1
3
5
7
-1
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The Slope Of A Line
.
(x2, y2)
.
y2 - y1
(x1, y1)
x2 - x1
The slope m of a line that passes through the
points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is
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There are 4 types of Slope
A line that rises from left to right
A line falls from left to right
A line is horizontal
The line is vertical
Continue to click mouse for information
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Its your turn
Use a piece of graph paper to help you illustrate
the slope
Problem 1
Problem 2
Problem 3
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Problem 1
.
.
The slope of the line is 2
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Problem 2
.
.
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Problem 3
.
.
The slope of the line is zero which makes it a
zero slope.
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Lets Review

• Slope is the steepness of a line
• It is described by a ratio of rise to run
• A coordinate plane can be used to find the slope
  of a line

• There are 4 types of slope
• positive slope
• negative slope
• zero slope
• undefined slope