General Form:

● Every linear equation in x and y can be transformed into the general form,
which is represented as Ax + By + C = 0.
● In this equation, A, B, and C are arbitrary constants. They can be any real
numbers.
● This form allows us to express any linear relationship between x and y.
● For an equation in the general form Ax + By + C = 0, you can find important
information about the line it represents.
● The slope (often denoted as 'm') of the line is calculated as -A/B. It
represents how steep the line is.
● The y-intercept (often denoted as 'b') of the line is calculated as -C/B. It
represents the point where the line crosses the y-axis.

Standard Form:
● The standard form of a linear equation is another way to represent it. It is
written as y = mx + b.
● In this form, 'y' represents the dependent variable (usually vertical), 'x'
represents the independent variable (usually horizontal), 'm' represents the
slope of the line, and 'b' represents the y-intercept.
● The standard form provides a more straightforward way to understand the
equation and its graph.
● In the standard form equation y = mx + b:
● 'm' is the slope of the line. It tells you how the line inclines or declines.
● 'b' is the y-coordinate of the point where the line intersects the y-axis (the
y-intercept). It indicates where the line crosses the vertical axis (x = 0).

Example 1: Write the standard equation of the line 12x - 2y - 54 = 0 and

determine the slope of the line and the intercept.

Solution:
12x - 2y - 54 = 0
- 2y = - 12x + 54
- 1/2(- 2y = - 12x + 54)
y = 6x - 27

The slope m = 6 and the intercept is (0, -27).

Do It Yourself
Represent 2x - 21y + 14 = 0 in standard form.