You can
put this solution on YOUR website!If the equation is given in the form y = mx + b, then the constant term, which is b, is the y intercept, and the coefficient of x, which is m, is the slope of the straight line.
The easiest way to graph such a line, is to plot the y-intercept first. Then, write the slope m in the form of a fraction, like rise over run, and from the y-intercept, count up (or down) for the rise, over (right or left) for the run, and put the next point. Then connect the two points and this is your line.
A couple of examples might be helpful.
EXAMPLE 1: y = 3x + 2
SOLUTION:
Y-intercept = 2, slope =
Start by graphing the y-intercept by going up 2 units on the y-axis.
From this point go UP (rise) another 3 units, then 1 unit to the RIGHT (run), and put another point. This is the second point. Connect the points and it should look like this:
EXAMPLE 2: y = -3x + 2
SOLUTION:
Y-intercept = 2, slope =
Start by graphing the y-intercept by going up 2 units on the y-axis.
From this point go DOWN (rise) 3 units, then 1 unit to the RIGHT (run), and put another point. This is the second point. Connect the points and it should look like this:
EXAMPLE 3: y =
x + 2
SOLUTION:
Y-intercept = 2, slope =
Start by graphing the y-intercept by going up 2 units on the y-axis.
From this point go UP (rise) another 3 units, then 5 unit to the RIGHT (run), and put another point. This is the second point. Connect the points and it should look like this:
EXAMPLE 4: y =
x + 5
SOLUTION:
Y-intercept = 5, slope =
Start by graphing the y-intercept by going up 5 units on the y-axis.
From this point go DOWN (rise) 3 units, then 5 unit to the RIGHT (run), and put another point. This is the second point. Connect the points and it should look like this:
EXAMPLE 5: y =
x -6
SOLUTION:
Y-intercept = -6, slope =
Start by graphing the y-intercept by going down 6 units on the y-axis.
From this point go UP (rise) another 3 units, then 2 unit to the RIGHT (run), and put another point. This is the second point. Connect the points and it should look like this:
