A slope is a measure of how steep a line is on a graph. It shows the change in height (or vertical distance) compared to the change in distance along the ground (or horizontal distance). For example, if you climb a hill, the slope tells you how steep the hill is. A steep slope means a quick rise, while a gentle slope means a slow rise. In mathematics, the slope is often represented by the letter m in the equation of a line, y = mx + b. Here, b represents the point where the line crosses the y-axis. Understanding slopes is important in various fields, including engineering, architecture, and even economics.