In the slope-intercept form, what does 'm' represent?

In slope-intercept form, which is commonly expressed as ( y = mx + b ), the variable 'm' specifically represents the slope of the line. The slope indicates the rate at which 'y' changes for a unit change in 'x'. In practical terms, a positive slope means that as 'x' increases, 'y' also increases, while a negative slope indicates that as 'x' increases, 'y' decreases. The slope is a crucial component in understanding the steepness and direction of a line on a graph.

Understanding the role of 'm' helps in analyzing linear relationships in various contexts, such as understanding trends in data or making predictions. Recognizing that 'm' is the slope is fundamental to solving problems involving linear functions and interpreting graphs effectively.