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Short answer: No one knows.
Long answer: Some people speculate it's short for "modulus". Others suggest that it's m because the letters m, n, p, etc, are used to represent parameters. But there's no substantial evidence for either claim.
It definitely doesn't come from the French verb to climb, monter. Noted French mathematicians such as Rene Descartes never used m to designate slope. French math courses today use the form y = ax + c.
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Why was m chosen for slope?
It is not documented why the letter m was chosen for slope. However, mathematician John Conway suggested that m could mean 'modulus of slope'.
What does the m mean in slope?
This is true for many reson the answer is that it used to be called "module of slope" but now its just called slope.
The equation of a line in slope intercept form is ymx plus b where m is the slope of the line?
If you mean: y = mx+b then the slope of the line is m and the y intercept is b
What is the meaning of m in slope?
In slope intercept form, m IS the slope. y = mx + b slope is change in height divided by change in x direction.
What is the b called in the form y mx b?
If you mean: y = mx+b then 'm' is the slope and 'b' is the y intercept for a straight line equation
