Calculating Slope

Use the slope formula ^y2-y1/_x2-x1

Remember to label one point as Point 1 and the other as Point 2. Label the x and y (x,y) from each point.

Plug in the appropriate numbers to the formula and calculate the slope.

Use ^rise/_run to calculate slope from a graph.

This is just counting the 'vertical change' and the 'horizontal change.'

^{Change in Y}/_{Change in X}

Horizontal and Vertical Lines are special cases

Remember to determine what is happening to the y-values, then the x-values.

Write a ratio for each (especially if it is not consistent).

Compare the ratios to make sure that they are equal and the rate of change is CONSTANT!

^{Change in Y}/_{Change in X}

Remember to just identify the pattern!

If you are adding or subtracting the same number each time, then your sequence is ARITHMETIC (Linear).

Look for KEY words such as "each," "every," and "per."

Remember that the slope is what is happneing every time (or what is happening over and over again)!