Why is the letter m used for slope instead of s?

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In summary, the variable "m" represents the slope of a line in a graph, which is a measure of the steepness of the line. The slope is calculated by dividing the change in the y-coordinate by the change in the x-coordinate between two points on a line. The significance of the slope in a graph is that it tells us how much the dependent variable (y) changes for every one unit change in the independent variable (x), and it also indicates the direction of the relationship between the two variables. A positive slope indicates a positive relationship between the variables, while a negative slope indicates a negative relationship. The slope can be zero or undefined, representing a horizontal or vertical line, respectively.
  • #1
mathdad
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Why is the lower case letter m used to represent slope?

Doesn't it make more sense to use the letter s to represent slope, you know, s for slope?
 
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  • #2
In Calculus, "s" usually denotes curve length, at least as I am familiar with it. A quick web search fails to turn up any specific reason as to why slope is denoted "m".
 
  • #3
http://mathhelpboards.com/pre-calculus-21/letter-m-slope-20683.html

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  • #4
I forgot that I had already asked this question back in February 2017.
 

FAQ: Why is the letter m used for slope instead of s?

What is the meaning of "m = slope"?

The variable "m" represents the slope of a line in a graph. It is a measure of the steepness of the line.

How is the slope calculated?

The slope is calculated by dividing the change in the y-coordinate by the change in the x-coordinate between two points on a line.

What is the significance of the slope in a graph?

The slope is important because it tells us how much the dependent variable (y) changes for every one unit change in the independent variable (x). It also indicates the direction of the relationship between the two variables.

What does a positive/negative slope indicate?

A positive slope indicates a positive relationship between the variables, meaning that as the independent variable increases, the dependent variable also increases. A negative slope indicates a negative relationship, where as the independent variable increases, the dependent variable decreases.

Can the slope be zero or undefined?

Yes, the slope can be zero or undefined. A slope of zero indicates a horizontal line, where the dependent variable remains constant as the independent variable changes. A slope of undefined indicates a vertical line, where the independent variable remains constant as the dependent variable changes.

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