Diocese of Baguio Schools

SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL OF ITOGON, INC.

Poblacion, Itogon,Benguet

MATHEMATICS 8

Graphing a Linear Equation Using its Slope and a Point

The graph of a linear equation can be drawn knowing only the slope and a point on
the line. From a given point on the line, apply the definition of slope as the ratio of
rise to run to get to another point. Then draw a line from the resulting point to the
given point to graph the line.

Example: Graph the equation of the line that passes through the given point and has the
given slope.
2 −7
1. (−1 ,−3 ) with a slope of 2. (4 ,−2) with a slope of
5 3
Solution:
1. Start by plotting the point (-1,-3). From 2. Start by plotting the point (4,-2). From
2 −7
this point, the slope suggests that the this point, the slope suggests that the
5 3
line rises 2 units as it runs 5 units. line rises 2 units as it runs 5 units.

run = 3

run = 5 rise = 7

rise = 2

For item #2, alternatively it can mean the line drops 7 units as it runs 3 units to the right.

Graphing a Linear Equation Using Slope-intercept Form

Linear equations in two variables may also be written in a form where the slope
and the y-intercept are shown. This is called the slope-intercept form of a line.
The line through point (0, b) with slope m is given by the equation y = mx + b.

Example: Determine the slope and y-intercept of the line given the equation.
1. y = 5x – 3 2. 2x + 8y = -3
Solution:
1.
2
 5
1. Slope (m) = 5 or ; y-intercept = -3 → ordered pair (0, -3)
1

2. Rewrite the given equation into the slope-intercept form.

2x + 8y = -3
2x + 8y – 2x = -3 – 2x
8y = -2x – 3

()1
8
8 y=(−2 x−3)
1
8()
−1 3
y= x−
4 8
−1 −3
Thus, the slope (m) = and y-intercept =
4 8

Graphing Horizontal and Vertical Lines

The equation x = a represents the vertical line that intersects the

x-axis at (a, 0). If a = 0, the line is the y-axis.
The equation y = b represents the horizontal line that intersects the y-axis at (0,
b). If b = 0, the line is the x-axis.

Example 1: Graph x = 5
The equation x = 5 is equivalent to
x + 0y = 5. Thus, for any value of y,
x is always equal to 5.

Note:
The graph of x = 5 is
vertical line passing
through the point (5, 0).
its slope is undefined.

2
Example 2: Graph y = -3.
The equation y = -3 is equivalent to 0x + y
= -3. Thus, for any value of x, y is always
equal to -3.

Note:
The graph of y = -3 is a
horizontal line passing
through the point (0, -3).
Its slope is 0.

GENERALIZATION
A Rectangular or Cartesian Coordinate System is a system used in graphing number
pairs in mathematics.
An ordered pair is a pair of numbers (x,y ) whose order is important and cannot be
interchanged. The x−coordinate of the point is the abscissa. The y−coordinate of the
point is the ordinate.

A Linear Equation in Two Variables is an equation that can be written in the form Ax +
By = C, where A, B, and C are real numbers but A is always positive and B cannot both
be zero.
The slope of a line is the ratio of the vertical rise of a line to its horizontal run.
Note: The steepest line has the highest absolute value of its slope.

A linear equation in two variables can be written in two forms:

• Ax + By = C, where A, B and C are real numbers, A is positive and B ≠ 0; and
• y =,mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept, m and b are real numbers.
This is called as slope-intercept form also known as the y-form.
The solution of a linear equation in two variables is an ordered pair (x,y) that makes a
true mathematical statement of the equation.
The graph of a linear equation in two variables is a line.

2
Ways of Graphing Linear Equations in Two Variables:

Procedure Graph
Topic
Graphing linear equations in The graph of the equation of
two variables the form ax+by=c is a
straight line. Plot any three
points and draw the line that
connects them.

x -1 0 1

y -1 1 3

y=2x+1

Graphing linear equations Solve for the x-intercept and

using the intercept method y-intercept. Plot the points
and draw a straight line
through the points.

2x+y=-2

x-intercept: -1 y- intercept: -
2

Graphing horizontal lines Horizontal line means values

of x will always be equal to 0.

y=a

Graphing vertical lines Vertical line means values of

y will always be equal to 0.

x=a

2
2