In the slope-intercept formula, what does 'm' represent?

In the slope-intercept formula, which is expressed as y = mx + b, 'm' represents the slope of the line. The slope indicates how steep the line is and the direction it goes. A positive value of 'm' means the line rises as it moves from left to right, while a negative value indicates that the line falls. The slope is a crucial concept in understanding the relationship between the x and y coordinates in a linear equation, as it dictates the rate of change in y with respect to x. Therefore, in this context, identifying 'm' as the slope is essential for analyzing and graphing linear equations effectively. Understanding this concept helps in predicting how changes in the x variable will influence the y variable, which is a foundational skill in algebra and important for various real-world applications.