Slope Math Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 3

medium
A line passes through (3,7)(3, 7) and (3,−2)(3, -2). What is its slope?

Solution

  1. 1
    Apply the slope formula: m=−2−73−3=−90m = \frac{-2 - 7}{3 - 3} = \frac{-9}{0}.
  2. 2
    Division by zero is undefined.
  3. 3
    The line is vertical, so its slope is undefined.

Answer

Undefined (vertical line)
A vertical line has all points with the same xx-coordinate. The run (horizontal change) is zero, making the slope undefined since division by zero is not allowed.

About Slope

A measure of the steepness and direction of a line, calculated as the ratio of vertical change (rise) to horizontal change (run) between any two points on the line. Slope is written as m=y2−y1x2−x1m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} and indicates how much yy changes for each unit increase in xx.

Learn more about Slope →

More Slope Examples

Example 1 easy

Find the slope of the line passing through points [formula] and [formula].

Example 2 easy

Find the slope of the line through [formula] and [formula].

Example 4 medium

Find the slope of the line passing through [formula] and [formula].

Example 5 hard

A line has slope [formula] and passes through [formula]. Find the [formula]-value when [formula].

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