Slope of a Line for Kids: Rise Over Run Made Simple (Grade 8 Math)

Hi, I'm Luna from DoodleBeez. Today we are learning about the slope of a line. Slope tells us how steep a line is, and whether it goes uphill or downhill as we read from left to right.

Slope is rise over run. The rise is how far the line goes up or down. The run is how far it goes across. To find the slope, divide the rise by the run.

This line passes through the points one, two and three, six. From the first point to the second, we run two to the right and rise four up. Four divided by two is two. The slope is two.

You can also use the coordinates. Slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. For one, two and three, six: six minus two is four, and three minus one is two. Four divided by two is two.

When a line goes downhill from left to right, the slope is negative. A line through zero, four and two, zero falls four as it runs two. Negative four divided by two is negative two.

A flat, horizontal line has a slope of zero, because it does not rise at all. A bigger number means a steeper line. So a line with a slope of three is steeper than a line with a slope of one.

Now it's your turn. Find the slope of the line through two, three and eight, six. Pause and try. Change in y: six minus three is three. Change in x: eight minus two is six. Three divided by six is one half.

Great job! Remember, slope is rise over run, uphill lines have a positive slope, downhill lines have a negative slope, and flat lines have a slope of zero. Practice slope in Middle School Math at doodlebeez.com. See you next time!