Graphing Linear Equations

Graphing Linear EquationsBy Mr. Adam Jackson

What is slope-intercept form?

What is slope-intercept form?Linear equations consist of an independent variable, usually called x, and a dependent variable, usually called y.When we solve for the dependent variable, the equation is said to be in slope-intercept form: y = mx+bAlthough there are many ways to write linear equations, slope-intercept form is the easiest way for us to express it graphically.m, the coefficient of the independent variable, is the slope.b is the y-intercept.

What is the y-intercept?

What is the y-intercept?The y-intercept, represented by the letter b, is the point where the line intercepts the y-axis.When graphing equations in slope-intercept form, the first point we graph should be the y-intercept.By locating b along the y-axis (with x = 0), we have our first point.After plotting the first point, we then have to determine the direction of the line.

Lets ReviewQuestion:What is the first point we graph when plotting a linear equation?

Lets Review

What is the slope of a line?

What is the slope of a line?The slope, represented by the letter m, is the change in y divided by the change in x.When the slope is a positive number, the direction of the line climbs uphill as the x-value increases.When the slope is a negative number, the direction of the line falls downhill as the x-value increases.When the slope is zero, the line is horizontal.When the slope is undefined (divided by zero), the line is vertical.

How do we graph the slope?

How do we graph the slope?

Lets Review

Lets Review

How do we graph lines with undefined slopes and slopes of zero?

How do we graph lines with undefined slopes and slopes of zero?

Lets Practice!

Lets Practice!

Lets ReviewQuestion: What are the steps for graphing an equation in slope intercept form?

Lets Review