According to Wolfram bsci-ch.orgWorld, there"s no consensus. Part think that may have come native French monter an interpretation to climb, yet this is just speculation $-$ it"s likely just a trend that recorded on. The short article I connected to consists of a greater elaboration and also some examples of whereby it"s not used.

You are watching: Why is m used for slope


*

the is not recognized why the letter m was favored for slope; the selection may have been arbitrary. John Conway has argued m could stand for "modulus the slope." One high school algebra textbook states the factor for m is unknown, but remarks that it is exciting that the French word because that "to climb" is monter. However, over there is no evidence to make any kind of such connection. Descartes, who was French, walk not use m. In bsci-ch.orgematical one Revisited (1971) bsci-ch.orgematics chronicler Howard W. Eves argues "it just happened."

Source


*

Not a reason, however a lovely coincidence is the the higher dimensional analogue that a slope is a matrix.

$$vecy = M(vecx)$$

would it is in the greater dimensional analogue the

$$y = mx$$

where $vecy in sci-ch.orgbbR^m$, $vecx in sci-ch.orgbbR^n$, and $M$ is a $n imes m$ matrix.

So I prefer to think the the "m" as standing for "matrix".


*

Thanks because that contributing response to bsci-ch.orgematics Stack Exchange!

Please be sure to answer the question. Administer details and also share her research!

But avoid …

Asking because that help, clarification, or responding to other answers.Making statements based on opinion; ago them increase with referrals or personal experience.

Use bsci-ch.orgJax to format equations. bsci-ch.orgJax reference.

See more: How Do You Say Awesome In Japanese, Are There Different Words

To discover more, watch our tips on writing great answers.


short article Your answer Discard

By click “Post your Answer”, you agree to our regards to service, privacy policy and also cookie plan


Not the prize you're feather for? Browse various other questions tagged notation analytic-geometry or asking your own question.


*

site design / logo © 2021 ridge Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. Rev2021.11.10.40715


bsci-ch.orgematics stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled
*

your privacy

By clicking “Accept every cookies”, you agree stack Exchange have the right to store cookie on your an equipment and disclose information in accordance v our Cookie Policy.