Finding The

Slope of a Line
Jennifer Prince 6/18/03
 Slopes are commonly
associated with mountains.
 The slope we are studying is
associated with the graph of a
line.
 Definitions of Slope
• The tilt or inclination of a line

• The ratio of vertical change to horizontal

change.

• The change in y over the change in x

Tilt or Inclination
 Vertical Change
Horizontal Change

This ratio is also known as

Rise
Run
How many points do you need to
draw a line?
• One

• Two

• Three
Graph (3,2) and (-1,-1)
Draw a line through the points.
 Now that we have our line lets
find its slope.

Remember we are finding the following ratio:

Vertical or Rise
Horizontal Run
Vertical Change
or the Rise

3
Horizontal Change
or the Run

3
Vertical Rise
Horizontal Run

3
4
Find the slope of the following
line.
The slope is…

1
2
Find the slope of the line.
The slope is….

-3
Find the slope of these lines.
 The slope is…
• Black line 3

• Red Line 1

• Blue Line -1/2

Find the slope of these lines
 The slope is…
• Orange line 0

• Green Line Undefined

Let’s draw a line using slope.

What else do you think you need

besides the slope in order to draw a
line?

A point!
If you know the slope and one point on the
line you can draw the line.
Example: slope is 1/3 and the point (-2,-1)
 Now you draw a line.
• Given: slope is 2/3 and the point is (1,0)

• Given: slope is –3 and the point is (–2,4)

• Given: slope is 1 and the point is (2,3)

The graphs are…
 Student Activity
You will now receive a worksheet.
You are to find the slope of a line and
draw a line given the slope and a
point. Turn the worksheet in when
completed.
Work Time
Change in y over the change in x

The formula for finding

the slope of a line.
Class Activity

Click on the following link

for slope practice.
 Closing Activity

You will receive a second worksheet.

Given 2 points, find the slope using
the slope formula. You will turn in
the worksheet.