Graphing Slope
A Prerequisite to Graphing Linear Equations

Accurately graphing slope is the key to graphing linear equations. In the previous lesson, Calculating Slope, you learned how to calculate the slope of a line.

In this lesson, you are going to graph a line, given the slope.

We are still going to use the definition of slope, which is:

Instead of counting the rise and run until you reach the next point, you are going to count the rise and run to plot the next point. You must have at least two points to draw a line.

Let's take a look at the directions and an example.

Steps for Graphing a Line With a Given Slope Plot a point on the y-axis. (In the next lesson, Graphing with Slope Intercept Form, you will learn the exact point that needs to be plotted first. For right now, we are only focusing on slope!) Look at the numerator of the slope. Count the rise from the point that you plotted. If the slope is positive, count up and if the slope is negative, count down. Look at the denominator of the slope. Count the run to the right. Plot your point. Repeat the above steps from your second point to plot a third point if you wish. Draw a straight line through your points. The trickiest part about graphing slope is knowing which way to rise and run if the slope is negative! If the slope is negative, then only one - either the numerator or denominator is negative (NOT Both!) Remember your rules for dividing integers? If the signs are different then the answer is negative! If the slope is negative you can plot your next point by going down and right OR up and left. If the slope is positive you can plot your next point by going up and right OR down and left.

Example 1 shows how to graph a line with a slope of 2/3.

Example 2 shows how to graph a line with a slope of -3.

But, what do we do when the slope doesn't have a denominator? Can we write -3 as a fraction?

Yes.. we can make any integer a fraction by dividing by 1. So, -3/1 is the fraction used to graph slope.

Graphing Slope Practice

For each graph below, start with a point on (0,-1). Then graph a line with the given slope.

Click here to print out graph paper for your practice.

1. Graph a line with a slope of -3/4.

Graphing Slope Answer Key

Let's take a look at a few notes that will help you make sure your graphs are correct when graphing linear equations.