7.

1 THE EQUATION OF A LINE

So far we have used equations in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏. This is called Slope y-intercept Form.

(0, b)
x

Example 1. Identify the slope and y-intercept of each line. y

a) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 5 b) 𝑦=𝑥

Example 2. Identify the slope and y-intercept of each line and then write an equation for each line.

HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL LINES:

Remember that these are two special types of lines, whose equations look different than what we
usually see.

Example 3. State whether each equation represents a horizontal or vertical line. Identify each slope
and y-intercept, if they exist.

a) 𝑦 = 3 b) 𝑥 = −2

5
c) 𝑦 = 2 d) 𝑥 = 1.2

1
Example 4. Graph each line.

a) 𝑦 = −4

b) 𝑥 = 5

THE EQUATION OF A LINE IN STANDARD FORM

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Example 5. Express each equation in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏. Identify the slope and y-intercept.

a) 𝑥+𝑦−5 =0 b) 𝑥 + 4𝑦 − 12 = 0 c) 4𝑥 − 3𝑦 − 6 = 0