Slope is defined as the change in the y-coordinates divided by the change in the x-coordinates. People often remember this definition as "rise/run." In this picture, the change in y-coordinates (rise) is red, and the change in x-coordinates (run) is blue:

If we name our first point (x1, y1) and our second point (x2, y2), we can write a formula as: Note that we could have done the points in the opposite order, and we will come up with the exact same answer:

• Rise y2 - y 1

• 4 - 2 = 2 rise

• Run X2 - X1

• 2 - 1 = 1 run

• Slope or M =rise 2 = 2

•                   run 1

Another way to compute the slope is to form a right triangle between the 2 points. See below ---the verticle side is the rise and the horizontal side is the run. Simply count the squares of each and you have the rise and the run. Then compute the slope ---2/1 or 2

Let's find the slope of line equation: y = 2x - 1 When the equation is in this form the number next to the x a (2) is the slope--rise of 2 and a run of 1. The -1 in the equation is where the slope line crosses theY axes . See below Compute the slope is to form a right triangle between the 2 points.