Question

Why do so many students confuse "zero slope" with "no slope"?

Answer 1

Well a slope is how steep something is. If it's flat, then it's not steep.

Answer 2

But actually scratch that, if you mean the cusps, then this is invalid.

Answer 3

You can't measure the slope of a sharp object which is where the slope doesn't exist. Maybe that's what you meant.

Answer 4

"Zero slope" means the slope = 0.

"No slope" means the slope is undefined.

Answer 5

I think people naturally associate "nothing" = "no thing."

But in this context, "nothing" means the value of 0,

while "no thing" means no slope.

Answer 6

it's the English language. same thing happens with "or"

or in common English is the exclusive or, but in mathematics it is the inclusive or