# Slope of a Line

We will discuss here about the slope of a line or gradient of a line.

If θ (≠ 90°) is the inclination of a straight line, then tan θ is called its slope or gradient. The slope of any inclined plane is the ratio between the vertical rise of the plane and its horizontal distance.

i.e., slope = $$\frac{vertical rise}{horizontal distance}$$ = $$\frac{AB}{BC}$$ = tan θ

Where θ is the angle which the plane makes with the horizontal

Slope of a straight line:

The slope of a straight line is the tangent of its inclination and is denoted by letter ‘m’ i.e. if the inclination of a line is θ, its slope m = tan θ.

Note:

(i) The slope of a line is positive if it makes an acute angle in the anti-clockwise direction with x-axis.

 Inclination θ = 45°Therefore, slope = tan 45° = 1 Inclination θ = 135° or -45°Therefore, slope = tan (-45°) = - tan 45° = -1

(ii) The slope of a line is negative, if it makes an obtuse angle in the anti-clockwise direction with the x-axis or an acute angle in the clockwise direction with the x-axis.

(iii) Since tan θ is not defined when θ = 90°, therefore, the slope of a vertical line is not defined. i.e., slope of y-axis is m = tan 90° = ∞ i.e., not defined.

(iv) Slope of x-axis is m = tan 0° = 0.

(v) Since the inclination of every line parallel to x-axis is 0°, so its slope (m) = tan 0° = 0. Therefore, the slope of every horizontal line is 0.

Equation of a Straight Line