Slope of a Straight Line in trigonometric form

Formula

$m \,=\, \tan{\theta}$

The tangent of inclination of a straight line is called the slope of straight line.

Introduction

$\overleftrightarrow{PQ}$ is a straight line in Cartesian coordinate system with some inclination.

Draw a parallel line to $x$-axis from point $P$ and also draw a perpendicular line towards $x$-axis from point $Q$. The both lines are intersected at point $R$ perpendicularly and it formed a right triangle ($\Delta RPQ$) geometrically.

The lengths of $\overline{QR}$ and $\overline{PR}$ represent vertical rise and horizontal distance of points of $P$ and $Q$ of the straight line. The slope of this straight line is ratio of vertical rise to horizontal distance of points of the straight line.

The slope of straight line $\overleftrightarrow{PQ}$ is represented by letter $m$ mathematically in geometric system.

$m \,=\, \dfrac{Vertical \, Rise}{Horizontal \, Distance}$

$\implies m \,=\, \dfrac{QR}{PR}$

$\Delta RPQ$ is a right triangle and, $\overline{QR}$ and $\overline{PR}$ are opposite side and adjacent side of the right triangle. Theta ($(\theta)$) is inclination of the straight line and it is also angle of the right triangle. The ratio of $QR$ to $PR$ is tan of angle theta as per trigonometry.

$\,\,\, \therefore \,\,\,\,\,\, m \,=\, \tan{\theta}$

The derivation has proved that the slope of a straight line is equal to tangent of the inclination of the straight line.

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