Thread: Slope of Lines

For years, I have heard that the slope of vertical lines is undefined (does not exist) and the slope of horizontal lines is zero but no clear and/or easy explanation has ever been given by a teacher or professor in my experience.

Why is the slope of vertical lines undefined and at the same time, why is the slope of horizontal lines zero?

Please, no technical, textbook-like answers.

Originally Posted by magentarita

For years, I have heard that the slope of vertical lines is undefined (does not exist) and the slope of horizontal lines is zero but no clear and/or easy explanation has ever been given by a teacher or professor in my experience.

Why is the slope of vertical lines undefined and at the same time, why is the slope of horizontal lines zero?

Please, no technical, textbook-like answers.

Hello magentarita,

Let's just talk about the definition of slope. It's the change in y divided by the change in x.



In a vertical line, there is no change in x. It remains constant. Therefore,

= undefined (dividing by zero is undefined)

And in a horizontal line, there is no change in y. So,

Originally Posted by masters

Hello magentarita,

Let's just talk about the definition of slope. It's the change in y divided by the change in x.



In a vertical line, there is no change in x. It remains constant. Therefore,

= undefined (dividing by zero is undefined)

And in a horizontal line, there is no change in y. So,

Very simply put. Thank you very much. Merry Christmas.