What does a negative slope indicate about a line?

A negative slope indicates that as you move along the line from left to right, the value of the dependent variable decreases. This visual representation means that the line is decreasing, or "falling," as it extends across the graph.

For example, if you consider the equation of a line in the slope-intercept form, (y = mx + b), where (m) represents the slope, a negative value for (m) means that for each unit you move to the right (increasing the x-value), the y-value decreases. This is characteristic of a downward trend, showcasing that the line indeed falls as you progress from left to right.

In contrast, options that describe a line rising, being horizontal, or vertical do not accurately reflect the concept of a negative slope. Therefore, the understanding of slope direction is crucial in interpreting the behavior of linear equations on a graph.