Slope vocabulary

Front

What is the independent variable?

Back

The input of a function; a variable whose value determines the value of the output, or dependent variable.

Front

What is the rate of change?

Back

A ratio that compares the amount of change in a dependent variable to the amount of change in an independent variable.

Front

What is slope?

Back

A measure of the steepness of a line on a graph; the rise divided by the run.

Front

What is rise in the context of slope?

Back

The vertical change when the slope of a line is expressed as the ratio rise/run, or 'rise over run.'

Front

What is run in the context of slope?

Back

The horizontal change when the slope of a line is expressed as the ratio rise/run, or 'rise over run.'

Front

What is the formula for slope?

Back

Slope (m) = rise/run.

Front

How do you calculate the slope between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)?

Back

Slope (m) = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1).

Front

What does a positive slope indicate?

Back

A positive slope indicates that as the independent variable increases, the dependent variable also increases.

Front

What does a negative slope indicate?

Back

A negative slope indicates that as the independent variable increases, the dependent variable decreases.

Front

What is a zero slope?

Back

A zero slope indicates a horizontal line, meaning there is no change in the dependent variable as the independent variable changes.