Rise
How far the line moves up or down between the two points.
Slope tells how steep a line is. From two points, it is the change in y divided by the change in x.
Use slope calculatorm = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
The numerator is the change in y, also called rise. The denominator is the change in x, also called run.
How far the line moves up or down between the two points.
How far the line moves left or right between the two points.
Rise divided by run. Positive slopes go up to the right; negative slopes go down.
Points: (1, 2) and (5, 10)
Change in y: 10 - 2 = 8
Change in x: 5 - 1 = 4
Slope: 8 / 4 = 2
Meaning: the line rises 2 units for every 1 unit to the right.
Positive slope
The line rises as x increases.
Negative slope
The line falls as x increases.
Zero slope
The line is horizontal, so y does not change.
Undefined slope
The line is vertical, so x does not change and the run is 0.
If you do y2 - y1, you must also do x2 - x1. Do not mix the order.
Slope is change in y over change in x, not the other way around.
A horizontal line has slope 0. A vertical line has undefined slope.
A negative slope tells direction. Keep the negative sign in the final answer.
Once you know slope, the next step is usually slope-intercept form: y = mx + b. The slope calculator can also show equation details from the same two points.
Find slope and equationPair this guide with the matching calculators, formula reference, and next lesson.
Either point can be first as long as you subtract x and y in the same order. Swapping both points gives the same slope.
Undefined slope means the line is vertical. The x-values are the same, so the run is 0 and division by 0 is not allowed.
Yes. Slope is the vertical change divided by the horizontal change: rise over run.