Last updated: March 2, 2026 by Dr. David Park

How to Calculate Slope

Formula

Slope measures the steepness of a line: m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1), or rise over run.

A positive slope goes uphill, a negative slope goes downhill, zero is horizontal, and undefined is vertical.

Common use cases:

  • Determining the grade of a road or ramp
  • Graphing linear equations
  • Rate of change in science and economics

Frequently Asked Questions

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Dr. David Park

Applied Mathematician, PhD Mathematics

David holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from MIT. He has published research on numerical methods and computational algorithms used in engineering and scientific calculators.

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