SAT Math Prep: Lines and Slopes

The SAT Math section can be challenging for many students. Fortunately, knowing what types of problems you’ll need to tackle and equations you’ll need to memorize is half the battle.

Lines and slopes are important concepts for the Heart of Algebra section of your math SAT. How can you prepare for this type of problem? Keep reading to learn all about lines and slopes, equations you should know, and examples (with explanations) to help you practice.

What are Lines and Slopes?

A line is a one-dimensional figure that is completely straight with no curvature and no thickness. Made up of connected dots, it extends infinitely in both directions.

A slope, otherwise known as a gradient, is the measure of the steepness or slant of a line. It is the ratio of the rise (the change in distance vertically over the $y$-axis) to the run (the change in distance along the $x$-axis).

What Line and Slope Properties Should You Know?

Before you attempt to tackle problems or memorize equations involving lines and slopes on your SAT, it’s important to understand some fundamental properties of these concepts. The basics include:

• Lines may increase or decrease and be horizontal or vertical.

• A line that increases in height from left to right has a positive slope. A line that decreases in height (gets lower) from left to right has a negative slope.

• A horizontal line has a slope of zero.

• A vertical line has an undefined slope.

• Parallel lines have the same slope and will never intersect.

• Perpendicular lines meet at right angles and have slopes that are negative reciprocals. This means that the product of slopes of perpendicular lines is $-1$.

Lines and Slopes Formulas to Know

Formulas are provided on the SAT, but it will save you time to memorize important ones beforehand. That way, you can tackle the problems without having to flip back to check the formulas.

The equation of a line (also known as slope-intercept form):

$y=mx+b$

$m$ is the slope and $b$ is the $y$-intercept. It’s a good idea to rewrite any line equation into the form above to simplify solving any questions.

To find the slope:

$\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}$

This represents the change in $y$-values divided by the change in $x$-values. $(x_1,y_1)$ is a coordinate pair from the line, and $(x_2,y_2)$ is another coordinate pair from the same line.