MckennaRian one year ago What is the slope of the line y = 3? PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW TO FIND SLOPE.

1. nincompoop

can you graph it?

2. MckennaRian

I'm not sure how you do that.

3. nincompoop

where would you put the value of y?

4. MckennaRian

On the y axis?

5. nincompoop

|dw:1438831605619:dw|

6. UsukiDoll

there is no slope for that problem.. just the y-intercept. so at point (0,3) draw a horizontal line.

7. nincompoop

|dw:1438831680555:dw|

8. triciaal

|dw:1438831762287:dw|

9. nincompoop

|dw:1438831776252:dw|

10. nincompoop

|dw:1438831833072:dw|

11. nincompoop

|dw:1438831901541:dw|

12. nincompoop

|dw:1438831945731:dw|

13. nincompoop

|dw:1438831971552:dw|

14. nincompoop

so no matter what form we use, whether via graph or via analysis of slope-intercept form or standard form, it appears that our slope is equal to zero

15. nincompoop

thank you for your time and I hope you learned something new

16. mathstudent55

|dw:1438832055507:dw|

17. nincompoop

|dw:1438832380998:dw|

18. nincompoop

|dw:1438832467213:dw|

19. geerky42

$$y=\infty x+b$$ doesn't make sense. So I think it's best to say that vertical line has no slope.

20. nincompoop

okay, chief whatever you say

21. mathstudent55

Zero slope means the slope exists and has the value zero. No slope means that there is no slope since slope is undefined in this case because of division by zero.

22. mathstudent55

Similarly, if a quadratic equation has no real roots, we say it has no roots. In no way does that mean that the root has a value of zero.

23. nincompoop

slope cannot be determined for it is undefined is different from no slope at all. if there is no slope then there exists no line to evaluate.

24. mathstudent55

Yes, undefined slope is a better way to describe it.

25. nincompoop

indeterminate I guess :) at least we are beginning to agree

26. geerky42

Why did you draw $$m=\infty$$? lol...

27. nincompoop

that is the closest I can draw to say indeterminate but I don't think it is required