Finding Slope
Finding Slope by Counting
When counting slope, it is best for us to write the slope as a fraction. The numerator tells us to either go up or go down to find our next point. If it is positive, it tells us to go up, and if it is negative, it tells us to go down. The denominator tells us to either go left or go right to find our next point. If it is positive, it tells us to go right, and if it is negative, it tells us to go left.
If we are counting to find our slope, we start at one point, count up or down to head towards another point, note that in the numerator as to which we did, then move left or right heading towards that other point, and note than number in our denominator. Simplify and reduce if possible. |
Finding Slope by Formula
It is possible to find the slope using two points and a formula. Slope can be used and named in many different ways including rise/run, change in y over change in x, constant rate of change, etc. When we use our two points, we label the x1,y1, x2,y2 to use in the formula. We then plug the numbers into the formula and simplify to find our slope.
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Finding Slope by Using a calculator - STATWhen given two or more points, we may use our calculator to find the equation of a line in slope-intercept form, which means, our calculator can find our slope for us!! We just have to know the steps to put it in our calculator using STAT. After we enter the infomation, we use STAT - CALC - LINREG to find the equation of the line. It gives the information as y=ax+b where a is the slope.
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