Math Doubts

Slope of a Straight Line

The value of trigonometric tangent of an angle, made by a straight-line with horizontal axis in anticlockwise direction, is defined slope of the straight line.

Straight lines are often appeared in a plane by making some angle with horizontal axis. The angle of the straight line has a direct relation with the slope of the straight line. This property shows a way to evaluate slope of a straight line from its angle, made with horizontal axis in anticlockwise direction.

Geometric Explanation

Assume, AB↔ is a straight line in a plane and also assume it makes some angle with horizontal axis in anticlockwise direction.

Slope of a straight line

Draw a horizontal line from point A towards right side and also draw a vertical line from B downwards. The line drawn from point A and the line drawn from point B meet at a particular point on the plane.

Slope of a straight line

The intersecting point of two perpendicular lines is assumed to call point C. Thus, the line AB↔ forms a right angled triangle ΔBAC. Assume, the angle of a triangle ∠BAC is θ. It means, the straight line AB↔ made an angle θ in anticlockwise direction with a horizontal line AC‾ (parallel to horizontal axis).

According to principle definition, the value of tangent of angle is known slope of the straight line. It means, slope of the straight line is written as tanθ mathematically. In mathematics, the letter m is used to denote the slope of the straight line.

Therefore, the slope of the straight line is (m) = tanθ

This mathematical relation is mainly used to evaluate slope of the straight line from the angle, made by the same line.

Math Questions

The math problems with solutions to learn how to solve a problem.

Learn solutions

Math Worksheets

The math worksheets with answers for your practice with examples.

Practice now

Math Videos

The math videos tutorials with visual graphics to learn every concept.

Watch now

Subscribe us

Get the latest math updates from the Math Doubts by subscribing us.

Learn more

Math Doubts

A free math education service for students to learn every math concept easily, for teachers to teach mathematics understandably and for mathematicians to share their maths researching projects.

Copyright © 2012 - 2023 Math Doubts, All Rights Reserved