How to use Excel to find a slope. In detail!

Question

I am working on a class( X and Y's, linear equations)project using Excel 2007. I need this answer to be well defined, where to look, what to choose and should a graph be inserted first if so which one?

Answer 1

To find the slope of an excel graph, I believe the easiest thing to do (there are other ways) is to graph your data and then right click on the graph.  You will see the option of "Add trend line"  select it.  

A window will open and you must choose the type of graph you are using.  Choose linear and click OK.

Then right click on the trend line you just added.  You will see an option "Format Trend line"  select it.

At the top of the window that opens select the tab "options"  near the bottom you should see a box "display equation on chart" check the box and select OK

Now that you have the equation of your graph, you can determine the slope from it.  

The equation will look like this: y=mx + b that is,

y= (some number)x + (another number)

m, or that first (some number) is your slope.

I hope that is useful!