Slope Calculator

Calculate slope between two points with step-by-step solutions

Calculate Slope Between Two Points

First Point (x₁, y₁)

Second Point (x₂, y₂)

Visual Representation

xy0(0, 0)(1, 1)run = 1rise = 1

Results

Slope (m)

1.000000
Positive slope - Line rises from left to right

Line Equation

y = 1.000000x + 0.000000

Y-Intercept (b)

0.000000
Point where line crosses y-axis

Angle with X-axis

45.000°
Measured counterclockwise

Percentage Grade

100.000%
Rise over run as percentage

Distance Between Points

1.414214
Length of line segment

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Identify the coordinates
Point 1: (0, 0)
Point 2: (1, 1)
Step 2: Apply the slope formula
m = (y₂ - y₁) / (x₂ - x₁)
Step 3: Substitute the values
m = (1 - 0) / (1 - 0) = 1 / 1
Step 4: Calculate the result
m = 1.000000
Step 5: Find the y-intercept using y = mx + b
Using point (0, 0): 0 = 1.000000 × 0 + b
b = 0 - 0.000000 = 0.000000

Example Problems

Positive Slope Example

Points: (1, 2) and (3, 6)

Negative Slope Example

Points: (2, 8) and (4, 2)

Horizontal Line (Zero Slope)

Points: (1, 3) and (5, 3)

Vertical Line (Undefined Slope)

Points: (3, 1) and (3, 7)

Types of Slopes

Positive Slope
m > 0, line rises
Negative Slope
m < 0, line falls
Zero Slope
m = 0, horizontal
Undefined Slope
Vertical line

Quick Reference

Slope Formula

m = (y₂ - y₁) / (x₂ - x₁)

Point-Slope Form

y - y₁ = m(x - x₁)

Slope-Intercept Form

y = mx + b

Angle Formula

θ = arctan(m)

Percentage Grade

Grade = m × 100%

Understanding Slope

What is Slope?

Slope is a measure of the steepness of a line. It represents the ratio of the vertical change (rise) to the horizontal change (run) between any two points on a line. The slope is constant for any straight line.

Slope Formula

The slope formula is derived from the definition of slope as rise over run:

m = (y₂ - y₁) / (x₂ - x₁)

Slope Interpretation

Positive Slope (m > 0)

The line rises from left to right. As x increases, y increases.

Negative Slope (m < 0)

The line falls from left to right. As x increases, y decreases.

Zero Slope (m = 0)

Horizontal line. y remains constant as x changes.

Undefined Slope

Vertical line. x remains constant as y changes.

Real-World Applications

Road Grade

The steepness of roads is measured as a percentage grade, which is slope × 100%.

Roof Pitch

Roof slope is crucial for water drainage and architectural design.

Rate of Change

In physics, slope represents velocity (position vs time) or acceleration.

Common Formulas

From Slope to Angle

θ = arctan(m)

Where θ is the angle in radians (multiply by 180/π for degrees)

Percentage Grade

Grade = slope × 100%

A 10% grade means a rise of 10 units for every 100 units horizontal