Rise-over-run describes the vertical change of a line over a horizontal distance. This is also called "slope." The formula for slope is (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1). The x and y values describe the coordinates of the endpoints of a line graphed on a Cartesian plane. However, a line does not have to be graphed in order for you to calculate its slope. You may also measure the line, with its length beginning at zero and ending at its final x value. Likewise, an object's height starts at zero and ends at its final y value.
Instructions
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1
Subtract the ending y value from the initial y value. This gives you the vertical change, or rise.
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2
Subtract the ending x value from the initial x value. This gives you the horizontal change, or run.
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3
Create a fraction, using the rise as the numerator and the run as the denominator. This describes the total rise-over-run, or slope.
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Reduce this fraction to its simplest form by dividing both numbers by their greatest common factor.