SOLUTION: Write an equation of the line with the given slope, m, and y-intercept (0,b). m=-3/2, b=8

You learn that the slope-intercept form of the equation
of a line is:

 

where m is the slope and (0,b) is the set of coordinates
fior the point at which the line crosses the y-axis (called
the y-intercept).

Then when you substitute  for  and  for 

then you will have the equation 



and when you use that equation to get some points, plot
them and draw a line through them, you will end up with
this line:



You will notice that the line crosses the y-axis
at the point (0,8).  That's the y-intecept. You
will also notice that the slope has a numerator
and a denominator.  Now follow the green lines:

1. The green lines start at the y-intecept and,
since the slope is NEGATIVE, they go from there
DOWN the numerator of the slope (-3) and then 
go right the denominator of the slope which is (2).

(When the slope is POSITIVE you go UP the number
of units as the numerator and right the number of 
units of the denominator.) 

Lines with positive slopes lean toward the right
and lines with negative slopes lean toward the
left.  This line has a negative slope and leans
to the left. The MORE the absolute value of the
line the STEEPER it is and the LESS it leans.

Edwin