MHB It explains the origin of the letter m in slope equations.

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The letter "m" is conventionally used to represent slope in equations, primarily due to its placement in the alphabet, distinguishing it from variables like x, y, and z. There is no definitive reason for this choice, but it aligns with the practice of using letters from the beginning of the alphabet for parameters. Some participants expressed a preference for using "S" instead of "m" for slope. The discussion includes references to resources that explore the derivation of "m" in slope equations. Overall, the choice of "m" remains a matter of convention rather than a rule.
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Why is the letter m used to represent slope?

I would rather S for slope.
 
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RTCNTC said:
Why is the letter m used to represent slope?

I would rather S for slope.

There's not really any reason, it's just that letters towards the end of the alphabet (x, y, z, w, etc) are usually used for variables while letters away from the end are usually used for parameters.
 

Thread 'Area of Overlapping Squares'

Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?
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