Recognize and interpret linear, semilog, and log-log scales and calculate slopes from data found in figures, graphs, and tables
Slope (m) is a characteristic of a linear relationship.
m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
Conceptually, slope is "rise over run", representing the change in value on the y-axis that corresponds to a change in value on the x-axis for two data points, (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) above where x2 is greater than x1. A positive slope indicates that the value represented on the y-axis will increase with an increase in value on the x-axis, while a negative slope indicates the y-axis value will decrease with an increase in the x-axis value.
X-axis | Y-axis | Slope |
---|---|---|
increase | increase | positive |
increase | decrease | negative |
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