Finding the Slope: Linear Function from Coordinate Graph

Use the "left-to-right rule": If the line goes up as you move from left to right, it's positive. If it goes down, it's negative. Think of it like climbing a hill (positive) or going downhill (negative)!

Pick any two points on the line and compare their $y$-coordinates. If the rightward point has a smaller $y$-value, the slope is negative. If it has a larger $y$-value, the slope is positive.

No! Whether a line is steep or gradual doesn't change whether it's positive or negative. A very steep downward line and a gentle downward line are both negative. Focus only on the direction.

A zero slope would be a perfectly horizontal line - completely flat with no up or down movement. It would look like a straight line parallel to the $x$-axis.

Yes! Pick two clear points on the line and use $m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$. But for quick identification of just positive vs negative, the visual method is faster and just as reliable.