Slope
Positive and Negative Slope
The slope of a line describes its
steepness. The greater the slope, the
steeper the line.
We can calculate slope using the following
relationship:
Slope = rise
run
The rise is the vertical change
and the run is the horizontal change
A POSITIVE slope means
the line goes UP
from left to right.
Positive Slope:
A NEGATIVE slope means
the line goes DOWN
from left to right.
Negative Slope:
Calculating Slope
Lines With Different Slopes
Example: Calculate the slope using two points.
Draw lines with the following slopes that pass
through the origin (0,0).
a) 3
b) - 3
4
4
Slope = rise
run
Slope = 9 – 2
7–4
Slope = 7
3
Change in y
c) 6
d) 0
e) 4
3
f) - 2
5
Change in x
1
a)
3
4
b) -
Slope = rise
run
Slope = 3
4
OR
-3
-4
c) 6
Slope = rise
run
Slope = 6 OR -6
-1
1
3
4
Slope = rise
run
Slope = -3 OR 3
4 -4
d) 0
Slope = rise
run
Slope = 0
x
FYI:
We will learn more
about lines with a
slope of 0 in
section 2.5
2
e)
4
3
f) -
Slope = rise
run
Slope = 4
3
OR
-4
-3
2
5
Slope = rise
run
Slope = -2 OR 2
5 -5
3