Linear Regression Slope Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the linear regression slope calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Formulas Used

Slope (b1)

slope = (n * sum_xy - sum_x * sum_y) / (n * sum_x2 - pow(sum_x, 2))

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
nNumber of Data Points (n)10
sum_xySum of x*y (Σxy)3500
sum_xSum of x (Σx)150
sum_ySum of y (Σy)200
sum_x2Sum of x² (Σx²)2850

How It Works

Linear Regression Slope

The slope of the least-squares regression line measures the average change in y for each one-unit increase in x.

Formula

b1 = (n × Σxy - Σx × Σy) / (n × Σx² - (Σx)²)

This is derived by minimizing the sum of squared residuals. A positive slope indicates a positive relationship; negative slope indicates an inverse relationship.

Worked Example

Given n=10, Σxy=3500, Σx=150, Σy=200, Σx²=2850.

n = 10sum_xy = 3500sum_x = 150sum_y = 200sum_x2 = 2850
  1. 01Numerator = 10(3500) - 150(200) = 35000 - 30000 = 5000
  2. 02Denominator = 10(2850) - 150² = 28500 - 22500 = 6000
  3. 03b1 = 5000 / 6000 = 0.8333