Which statement best describes the slopes of parallel lines?

The statement that best describes the slopes of parallel lines is that the slopes are equal. This is because parallel lines, by definition, do not intersect and maintain a constant distance from each other. For two lines to be parallel, they must have the same steepness or inclination, which is represented mathematically by having the same slope.

Slopes are a measure of how steep a line is, defined as the ratio of the vertical change to the horizontal change between any two points on the line. When two lines have equal slopes, it indicates that they will never meet, which is the fundamental property of parallel lines.

While it is true that both lines can have positive or negative slopes, the defining characteristic that ensures lines are parallel is their equal slopes. Therefore, the important fact is that the equality of slopes allows us to identify and describe parallel lines in a consistent and reliable manner.