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| + | '''Slope''' is the steepness of a [[line]]. A positive slope rises; a negative slope falls. Another term for slope is gradient. |
| − | Slope is the steepness of a line. A positive slope rises; a negative slope falls. Another term for slope is gradient. | |
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| | For a straight line, the slope (m) is constant and represented by the difference in the vertical direction (y) divided by the difference in the horizontal direction (x): | | For a straight line, the slope (m) is constant and represented by the difference in the vertical direction (y) divided by the difference in the horizontal direction (x): |
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| | :: <math>m = \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x}</math> | | :: <math>m = \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x}</math> |
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| − | The delta, Δ, represents the difference in values between any two points in the x or y direction for straight line. For a curve, the delta, Δ, represents the difference in values for two points in very close proximity to each other. | + | The delta, Δ, represents the difference in values between any two points in the x or y direction for straight line. For a [[curve]], the delta, Δ, represents the difference in values for two points in very close proximity to each other. |
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| | For a straight line, another way of representing the slope (m) is as follows: | | For a straight line, another way of representing the slope (m) is as follows: |
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| | where the two points are located at (x<sub>1</sub>, y<sub>1</sub>) and (x<sub>2</sub>, y<sub>2</sub>). | | where the two points are located at (x<sub>1</sub>, y<sub>1</sub>) and (x<sub>2</sub>, y<sub>2</sub>). |
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| | + | ==Introduction to derivative== |
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| | + | If a function has value <math>f(x)</math> at <math>x</math> and <math>f(x+h)</math> at <math>x+h</math> with <math>h>0</math> than the slope of the line joining <math>(x,f(x))</math> to <math>(x+h,f(x+h))</math> is, |
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| | + | :<math>\frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}</math>. |
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| | + | The slope of the line that meets (is tangential to) <math>f(x)</math> at <math>x</math> is the limit as <math>h</math> tends to zero, or, |
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| | + | :<math>\lim_{h\rightarrow0}\frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h},</math> |
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| | + | which is denoted <math>f'(x)</math>, which is called the [[Derivative (calculus)|derivative]] of <math>f(x)</math>. |
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| | [[Category:Algebra]] | | [[Category:Algebra]] |