As a subject matter expert in mathematics, I can tell you that the "M" in the term "slope" stands for "M" in "rise over run," which is a way to describe the steepness of a line. In a line's equation, the slope is the coefficient of the variable representing the vertical change (usually the 'y' variable) when the horizontal change (the 'x' variable) is 1. It's the ratio of the vertical distance (rise) to the horizontal distance (run) between any two points on the line.

read more >>

John Conway has suggested m could stand for "modulus of slope." One high school algebra textbook says the reason for m is unknown, but remarks that it is interesting that the French word for "to climb" is monter. However, there is no evidence to make any such connection. Descartes, who was French, did not use m.read more >>