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Example

Modeling a Line with Slope 14-\frac{1}{4} on a Geoboard

To model a line with a negative slope on a geoboard, use the slope formula to identify the rise and run, then account for the downward direction of the rise.

For a slope of 14-\frac{1}{4}, set up the formula:

m=riserunm = \frac{\text{rise}}{\text{run}}

14=riserun\frac{-1}{4} = \frac{\text{rise}}{\text{run}}

This tells us the rise is 1-1 and the run is 44. Because the rise is negative (the line moves downward), choose a starting peg in the upper-left area of the board to leave room to count down. To build the line:

  1. Start at a peg near the upper left of the board.
  2. Stretch the rubber band down 11 unit and then right 44 units to reach a second peg.

The hypotenuse of the resulting right triangle represents a line whose slope is 14-\frac{1}{4}. This example shows how modeling a negative slope differs from a positive one: the starting peg must be chosen higher on the board, and the rubber band is stretched downward rather than upward before moving to the right.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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