and still other segments where the slope is close to zero.

The slope of a straight line between two points can be calculated in numerical terms. To calculate slope, begin

by designating one point as the “starting point” and the other point as the “end point” and then calculating the

rise over run between these two points. As an example, consider the slope of the air density graph between the
504 A • The Use of Mathematics in Principles of Economics

points representing an altitude of 4,000 meters and an altitude of 6,000 meters:

Rise: Change in variable on vertical axis (end point minus original point)

Run: Change in variable on horizontal axis (end point minus original point)

Thus, the slope of a straight line between these two points would be that from the altitude of 4,000 meters up to

6,000 meters, the density of the air decreases by approximately 0.1 kilograms/cubic meter for each of the next

1,000 meters.
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