Math question, what are deltas here?

[dragos240]

Okay so i'm doing last minute math, but i don't quite know the equation, let alone what it means, can anybody explain this:
Δy=y2-y1
Δx=x2-x1

I had to find the "slope" of the line here, but really haven't a clue what this is, if someone could help me here, i would really appreciate it. Thanks!

[x33a]

afaik, delta here represents the change in value.

[dragos240]

afaik, delta here represents the change in value.

Thank you, but is there a page shown how it can be done? Because i'm really clueless.

[tom66]

Well, slope of a line is repesented by x2-x1/y2-y1 I think, but I can't be sure. Using your formula it would be delta x / delta y

[dragos240]

Well, slope of a line is repesented by x2-x1/y2-y1 I think, but I can't be sure. Using your formula it would be delta x / delta y

Okay but what does delta represent, is it a number? Or does it mean do whatever?

[tom66]

It's just like sigma (sum of a set), except this is delta, which is the difference of the set. It's just a bit of mathematical notation, it would be the same with or without delta as long as the formula is trailing.

[x33a]

Is there a page shown how it can be done? Because i'm really clueless.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slope

[Giant Speck]

Thank you, but is there a page shown how it can be done? Because i'm really clueless.

Let's take two points, with coordinates (2,3) and (5,7). From these two points, we can say that:

x1=2
x2=5
y1=3
y2=7

To find the slope of the line that connects them, you need to use the following equation:

slope = Δy/Δx, where Δy = y2-y1 and Δx=x2-x1

Let's plug in the numbers we have to find the slope of the line.

slope = Δy/Δx = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) = (7-3)/(5-2) = 4/3

The slope of the line is 4/3.

The delta symbol simply indicates change. Δy is a variable that means change in y. Likewise, Δx is a variable that means change in x.

[dragos240]

Let's take two points, with coordinates (2,3) and (5,7). From these two points, we can say that:

x1=2
x2=5
y1=3
y2=7

To find the slope of the line that connects them, you need to use the following equation:

slope = Δy/Δx, where Δy = y2-y1 and Δx=x2-x1

Let's plug in the numbers we have to find the slope of the line.

slope = Δy/Δx = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) = (7-3)/(5-2) = 4/3

The slope of the line is 4/3.

The delta symbol simply indicates change. Δy is a variable that means change in y. Likewise, Δx is a variable that means change in x.

Oh i see, it's a sort of place-holder for these points, thanks for the helpful clarification. Huge help.

[imlinux]

you can find slope by tanƟ if you know the angle of the line which is Ɵ its finally going to convert into above explanation provided.

[renzokuken]

differentiate y with respect to x....mwuahaha.....

but seriously, Giant Spec nailed it. the slope of a straight line is the the change in y (delta y) divided by the change in x (delta x)