Understanding the slope of a graph is super important when you're in Year 8 maths. It's actually pretty easy to grasp once you get the hang of it!

What is Slope?
The slope of a graph tells you how steep it is. You can think of it like how much you climb up or down when you move along the x-axis (the horizontal line). Imagine climbing a hill; the slope shows you how steep that hill is!

Calculating the Slope:
To find the slope between two points on a line, you can use this simple formula:
slope = rise/run

Here's what those words mean:

• Rise: This is how far you go up or down. It's the change in the y-coordinates (the vertical positions).
• Run: This is how far you go left or right. It's the change in the x-coordinates (the horizontal positions).

For example, if you go up 3 units and run 4 units to the right, the slope would be:
slope = 3/4

Y-Intercept:
Another important part of graphing is the y-intercept. This is where the line crosses the y-axis (the vertical line). It's usually shown as b in the straight line equation:
y = mx + b
In this equation, m is the slope, and b is the y-intercept. This helps you see the whole picture of the line you're working with.

Once you feel comfortable with slope and y-intercept, you'll have a strong base for understanding all kinds of graphs!