Graphs of Linear Functions

Slope y intercept form of a line: y = mx + b

(slope) (y intercept)
I Slope describes the way a line slants
M = rise = y = y
1
y

(!ertical chan"e)
#$n x x
1
x

(hori%ontal chan"e)
&xample: If a hi"hway has a '( "rade) then in 1** feet (meas$red
hori%ontally) the road rises ' feet (meas$red !ertically)+ ,he ratio
' = (y) = '( ' represents the slope of the road+
1** (x) 1**
-ind the slope of the line connectin" (.)/) and (')0)
M = y = /.0 = 1
x ..' .1
2hat does the "raph of a line loo3 li3e if the slope is:
4ositi!e 5e"ati!e 6ero 5o Slope
&xercises:
1+ -ind the slopes of the lines connectin" the points
a) (7).1) and (.1).) b) (0)8) and (.1)7)
+ 9raph: a) y = 0 b) x = .
II To Graph Lines:
1+ :se a chart
a) 4ic3 !al$es for x) sol!e for y+
b) 4lot the points and connect+
+ :se the slope and y.intercept
a) Identify the slope and y.intercept from the e;$ation
b) 4lot the y.intercept+ ,his is the startin" point+
c) :se the slope to "et more points on the line+ ,he slope
is always written as a fraction+
7+ :se the x and y intercepts
(x.intercept: point where the line crosses the x axis< y.intercept:
point where the line crosses the y axis)
a) ,o find the x intercept) let y = *+
b) ,o find the y intercept) let x = *
III Slopes of Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
1+ 9raph these lines on the same axes: y = x + 0) y = x 1
=ow are these lines related>
2hat do yo$ notice abo$t the slopes of these lines>
?an yo$ draw a concl$sion>
+ 9raph these lines on the same axes: y = 7@ x + 1) y = .@7 x 7
=ow are these lines related>
2hat do yo$ notice abo$t the slopes of these lines>
?an yo$ draw a concl$sion>