Converting line slopes to angles

In summary, to convert a slope to an angle, you can use the inverse tangent function on a scientific calculator. The slope formula cannot be used to find the angle, as it only gives the slope value. A positive slope indicates the line is going up from left to right, while a negative slope means the line is going down from left to right. A horizontal line has a slope of 0, making the angle 0 degrees, and a vertical line has an undefined slope, making the angle 90 degrees or pi/2 radians. The slope-intercept form (y = mx + b) can also be used to find the angle, with the slope being the tangent of the angle.
  • #1
danne89
180
0
Hi! I'm examining the equality between line slopes and angles. I've, using trig, conclude that this equation holds:
[tex]sin(v) = \frac{m}{ \sqrt{1+m^2}}[/tex]
Anyone knowing a simpler equation is very welcome to post.
 
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  • #2
[tex]\tan{\alpha} = m[/tex].
 
  • #3
Ahhh! Why wasn't I thinking about THAT? I congratulate you for your clevernes.
 

FAQ: Converting line slopes to angles

How do I convert a slope to an angle?

To convert a slope to an angle, you can use the inverse tangent function on a scientific calculator. The formula is: angle = arctan(slope) . This will give you the angle in radians, which you can then convert to degrees if needed.

Can I use the slope formula to find the angle?

No, the slope formula only gives you the slope value, not the angle. You will need to use the inverse tangent function to find the angle.

What is the difference between a positive slope and a negative slope?

A positive slope means that the line is going up from left to right, while a negative slope means the line is going down from left to right. The angle will also be positive or negative depending on the slope.

How do I convert a horizontal or vertical line to an angle?

A horizontal line has a slope of 0, which means the angle is also 0. A vertical line has an undefined slope, which means the angle is 90 degrees or pi/2 radians.

Can I use the slope-intercept form to find the angle?

Yes, you can use the slope-intercept form (y = mx + b) to find the angle. The slope (m) will be the tangent of the angle, and you can use the inverse tangent function to find the angle.

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