slope intercept straight line

The Slope and Intercept of a Line

The slope of a line is the ratio of change in a vertical distance over the change in a horizontal distance. It is denoted by m.


Process to find the slope of a line:

• We can take any two point on a line.
• Find the vertical change or change in y coordinate. 
• Find the horizontal change or change in x coordinate. 
• Find the ratio of these changes i.e. m = rise / run

We have basically 4 types of slopes. These are:

Zero Slope: In this case the line is parallel to the x axis, The value of x is change or increased, the value of y remains constant or unchanged.

Positive Slope: In this case as the values of x increase, the value of y is also increased and the slope of a line is positive.

Negative Slope: In this case as the values of x increase, the value of y is decreased and the slope of a line is negative.

No slope: In this case the line is parallel to the y axis, The value of y is change or increased, the value of x remains constant or unchanged.