Slope Formula:
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The slope (gradient) from two points measures the steepness and direction of a line connecting two coordinates in a Cartesian plane. It represents the rate of change between the y-values and x-values.
The calculator uses the slope formula:
Where:
Explanation: The slope represents the ratio of vertical change (rise) to horizontal change (run) between two points on a line.
Details: Slope calculation is fundamental in mathematics, physics, engineering, and data analysis. It helps determine line equations, predict trends, analyze rates of change, and understand linear relationships in various applications.
Tips: Enter the coordinates of two points (x₁,y₁) and (x₂,y₂) as unitless values. The calculator will compute the slope. If x₂ = x₁, the slope is undefined (vertical line).
Q1: What does a positive slope indicate?
A: A positive slope indicates the line is increasing - as x increases, y also increases.
Q2: What does a negative slope indicate?
A: A negative slope indicates the line is decreasing - as x increases, y decreases.
Q3: What does a zero slope mean?
A: A zero slope indicates a horizontal line where y-values remain constant regardless of x-values.
Q4: When is slope undefined?
A: Slope is undefined when x₂ = x₁, indicating a vertical line where the denominator becomes zero.
Q5: How is slope used in real-world applications?
A: Slope is used in calculating rates (speed, growth), engineering gradients, economics (marginal costs), and data analysis (trend lines).