The slope of a line
The slope of a line tells us how steep the line is. For one unit to the right, how much increase is made vertically?
Here is a line segment with a slope of 3. One unit horizontally, 3 units vertically.
Here is a line segment with a slope of a half. One unit horizontally, half a unit vertically. It is easier to draw if you count two units horizontally, 1 unit vertically.
It is often calculated as
A horizontal line has slope 0. There is no increase or decrease.
A line at 45° has a slope of 1. That is, one unit to the right, one unit up.
Move the slider to see slope values between zero and one.
A line that has slope more than one is quite steep.
A line with negative slope is a line that goes down to the right.
Use the applet to create line segments of the following slopes:
- Slope AB = 5
- SlopeAB = -3
- Slope AB = 0
- Slope AB = 1
- Slope AB = -1
- Infinitely steep (vertical)
- Slope AB =
- Slope AB =
Test out: Skill 2
Get 8 correct to test out of this skill.
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