PROPERTIES

OF THE LINE
 SLOPE
Describes the
steepness of a
line
SLOPE
Equal to:

Rise
Run
 RISE
The change
vertically, the
change in y
 RUN
The change
horizontally or
the change in x
 FINDING SLOPE
Step 1:
Find 2 points on a line
(2, 3) (5, 4)
(x ,y ) (x ,y )
1 1 2 2
FINDING SLOPE
Step 2:
Find the RISE between
these 2 points
Y-Y =
2 1

4 -3 =1
FINDING SLOPE
Step 3:
Find the RUN between
these 2 points
X-X =
2 1

5 -2 =3
 FINDING SLOPE
Step 4:
Write the RISE over RUN as a
ratio
Y-Y
2 1 = 1
X-X
2 1 3
 X-INTERCEPT

where the line crosses

the x-axis
 X-INTERCEPT
the x-intercept has a
y-coordinate of ZERO
 X-INTERCEPT
to find the x-intercept,
plug in ZERO for y
and solve
Y-INTERCEPT
where the line
crosses the y-axis
 Y-INTERCEPT
the y-intercept has an
x-coordinate of ZERO
 Y-INTERCEPT
To find the y-intercept,
plug in ZERO for x
and solve
SLOPE-INTERCEPT
FORM

y = mx + b
m = slope
b = y-intercept
 SLOPE-INTERCEPT

• The m in the slope-intercept form is

ALWAYS attached to the X variable.
• The slope is NEVER including the X
variable
• For example, if given y = 3x + 4 the slope
is 3 NOT 3x.
 Y-INTERCEPT SUMMARY

• The y-intercept is the b in the slope intercept

form.
• This b (y-intercept) is your starting point on
the graph.
• To easily remember this, think of b as you
Beginning point.
• For example, in y = 3x + 4 the Beginning point
is at (0,4) {Remember: to find the y-intercept,
plug on zero for the x.}