How To Find Slope With Two Coordinates

One of the easiest ways to determine the linear equation of a graphed line is to use the slope-intercept formula. The slope-formula is y = mx + b, where x and y are coordinates of a point on a line, b is the y-intercept and m is the slope. The first step to solving the slope intercept formula is to determine the slope. In order to find the slope, you need to know the x and y values for two coordinates on the line.

Step 1

Set up the slope equation. The slope is simply the ratio between the change in y over the change of x. This means that to determine the slope, you need an equation that allows you to find this ratio. The easiest equation to use is m = (y2 – y1) / (x2 -x1). This equation determines the ratio and is also easy to remember.

Step 2

Plug the values into the slope equation. You can use any two points on the line. Each point will have an x value and a y values. Use these values in your slope equation. For example, using (4,3) and (2,2), you would place them in the equation as follows — m = (2-3) / (2-4).

Step 3

Simplify the equation and solve for m to determine the slope. Use basic addition and subtraction to simplify the ratio. More often than not, your ratio will end up as a fraction. Once you have simplified the equation, you now know the value for the slope between two coordinates. In the example given, (2-3) / (2-4) simplifies to -1 / -2, which simplifies further to 1/2.