Linear

Functions
By:
Cherry Anne V. Lanuza

Contents
1. Definition of Linear
Function
2. Graphs of Linear
Using Any Two Points
Function
Using the Slope and a
Using
Point the Slope and the yUsing the Intercepts
intercept
3. Linear Equations
The Slope Intercept
The
Point Slope Form
Form
The Intercept Form
3. Linear Equations

1. Definition of Linear Function

Linear Function is a equation for straight line. It is use in
real- life situation and most popular in Economics.
Linear Function is a function of the form:

f (x) = mx + b
Where m and b are real numbers and m 0

(continuation) 1. Definition of Linear

Function
Linear Function may appear in different forms such as:

f (x) = 3x + 4
g (x) = -x
Y=x-1
2x y = 5
3x + 5y 15 = 0
These forms can easily written in another
form. The function form y = mx + b will
be used as f (x) = mx + b, provided that
y = f(x)

Example
Rewrite each linear function in the form y = mx + b.
Then determine the value of m and b

2x y = 4
3x + 5y = 9
y + 5 = -2 (x + 1)
=1

y = -2x + 4 thus, m = -2x; b= 4

y = + thus, m = ; b =
y = -2x - 7 thus, m = ; b = -7
y = + 5 thus, m = ; b = 5

2. Graphs of Linear Function

Using Any Two Points

Linear Postulate states that two points determine a line.

However, plotting a third point serves as a check against
possible errors in plotting the two points.

Example : f (x) = 3x - 2
To determine points that are on the graph
of the given function, construct a table of
values. Plot these points and draw a line
through these points

3x 2

F (x)

-1

3 (-1) - 2

-5

3 (0) 2

-2

3 (2) 2

2. Graphs of Linear Function

Another Example : 4x + 3y = 12
Since the function is not of the form y = mx + b, it is
more convenient to express the given function in this
form

4x + 3y = 12
3y = -4x + 12
y=-

3x 2

F (x)

0
0

4
4

-4

2. Graphs of Linear Function

Using the Slope and a Point
Another method is to plot a given point of the function and
then, identify another point using the slope of the function

Example : y = -2x + 1
Remember: the value of m is the slope

y = -2x + 1
The slope is m = -2; thus m=

If x = 0, y = -2 (0) + 1 = 1. Hence, (0, 1) is a point of the

function. To go from (0,1) to (-1, 3), go up 2 units (or rise
2) then go 1 unit to the left (or run -3). These steps give
another point (1, -1) of the function

2. Graphs of Linear Function

Using the Slope and the y-intercept
A third method of graphing linear function is to use the
slope and the y- intercept of the function. Since yintercept is an ordinate of a point on the y- axis, it is easy
to determine the coordinates of this point. If the
function is of the form y=mx+b, a known point is (0,b).
Then use the procedure in graphing linear function using
the slope and a point.

Example : m = 3; b= 2

m = 3; b= 2
The y intercept is 2. Therefore, (0,2) is a
point of the function. Using m = 3 = , other
points on the graph are (1,5) and (-1,-1)

2. Graphs of Linear Function

Using the intercepts
Another method of graphing linear function is to
determine first the x- intercept a and the y-intercept b,
and then connect the point (a,0) and (0,b).

Example : a = 2; b = 3

a = 2; b = 3
Since the x- intercept a=2 and the y-intercept b=3, then
(2,0) and (0,3) are on the graph of the function. Plot
these points, and then draw the line through these points.

Note that the slope of this function is

negative, and that the intercepts are both
positive

3. Linear Equations
The Slope intercept Form
The linear function has been defined in terms of the
equation f(x)= mx+b. this form is called the slopeintercept.
If the graph of a linear function y has slope m
and y-intercept b, then its equation is
y=mx+b

Example : m = 3; b= 1

m=3; b=1
Substitute the given m and b in the slope- intercept form.
Y= mx+ b ; m=3 b=1
Y= 3x+(-1)
Y= 3x-1 or 3x-y=1

3. Linear Equations
The

point-Slope Form

If the graph of a linear function y has a slope m and passes

through the point (

Example : (-1,20), m=2

(-1,20), m=2
Substitute the values to the point- slope form, and then
transform the resulting equation in the required form.
= -1, = 2, m=2
y- = m (xy-2 = 2 [x (-1)]
y-2 = 2 (x+1)
y-2=2x=2
y=2x+ 4 or 2x-y=-4

The

3. Linear Equations

two piont form

If the graph of a linear function y passes through the

points ()and ), its equation, according to the point-slope
form is
y-= m ()
But by definition of slope m is
m=
By sbstitution,
y-().

Example : (5,-4), (-3,0)

(5,-4), (-3,0)
Substitute the values of the two- point form, and then
transform the resulting equation in the required forms.
Note that only the subscripted variables in the two- point
form are replaced
= 5, = -4,
y- =(xy-(-4) =
y+4= (x-5)
-8y-32=4x-(x-5)
-8y-32=4x-20
-8y=4x+12
y=or x+2y=-3

The

3. Linear Equations

intercept Form

If the x-intercept a and y- intercept b are given, two

points are known namely (a,0) and (0,b). The equantion of
the graph of the graph of the function through these
points, according to two- point form is
y-0=
y=
-ay=b(x-a)
-ay=bx-ab
bx+ay=ab.

Example : a=2, b=-3

a=2, b=-3
Substitute the values to the intercept for, and then
transform the resulting equation in the required forms.
a=2, b=-3

-3x+2y=-6 or y=

The

3. Linear Equations

intercept Form

If the x-intercept a and y- intercept b are given, two

points are known namely (a,0) and (0,b). The equantion of
the graph of the graph of the function through these
points, according to two- point form is
y-0=
y=
-ay=b(x-a)
-ay=bx-ab
bx+ay=ab.

Example : a=2, b=-3