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 = slope_num / slope_den

Mean of x

x_mean = sum_x / n

Mean of y

y_mean = sum_y / n

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
nNumber of Pairs5
sum_xySum of (x*y)2350
sum_xSum of x75
sum_ySum of y150
sum_x2Sum of x-squared1175
slope_numDerived value= n * sum_xy - sum_x * sum_ycalculated
slope_denDerived value= n * sum_x2 - pow(sum_x, 2)calculated

How It Works

How to Calculate the Regression Slope

Formula

b1 = [n*Sum(xy) - Sum(x)*Sum(y)] / [n*Sum(x^2) - (Sum(x))^2]

The slope of the least-squares regression line represents the predicted change in Y for a one-unit increase in X. A positive slope indicates a positive relationship; negative means Y decreases as X increases.

Worked Example

n = 5, Sum(xy) = 2350, Sum(x) = 75, Sum(y) = 150, Sum(x^2) = 1175.

n = 5sum_xy = 2350sum_x = 75sum_y = 150sum_x2 = 1175
  1. 01Numerator = 5*2350 - 75*150 = 11750 - 11250 = 500
  2. 02Denominator = 5*1175 - 75^2 = 5875 - 5625 = 250
  3. 03Slope b1 = 500 / 250 = 2.0
  4. 04For each unit increase in x, y increases by 2 on average