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     Slope was first used by Rene Descartes in 

1596. The slope or gradient of a line is the 

number that describes the steepness and 

direction of a line. Slope is most often expressed 

by the letter "m". There are four different types of 

slope. The first is positive slope. This is when a 

line goes uphill from left to right. The second is 

negative slope which is when a line goes downhill 

from left to right. The third one is called a zero 

slope. This is where lines are perfectly horizontal. 

The last one is undefined slope. Undefined slope 

is when lines are perfectly vertical. 

How to Find Slope

1. Decide on two points on the line you are trying to find the slope of. If it is 

a line segment, choose the endpoints.

2. Start with the left point.

3. The formula is m= rise/run, you do the "rise" first since it is in the 

numerator. You either rise up or rise down. Count how many spaces it takes 

to up (or down) to get to the second point.

4. If you "rise up", the number is positive; if you "rise down", the number is 

negative.

5. Now, you "run over"! If the steps are followed correctly, you will always 

run to the right. Count how many spaces it takes to "run" to the second 

point.

6. Take the numbers you have and put in in the formula. 

YOU HAVE THE SLOPE!

7. Check to see if you have the positive or negative sign correct. If the line 

is uphill, it will have a positive slope. If it is downhill, it will have a negative 

slope.

The slope of this line 

is 2/3. 

The slope of this line is 

-2/1.

The slope of this 

line is

zero.

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