SOLUTION: Hi. What does it mean when the directions say, ''Identify the slope and y-intercept of the graph of each equation''? I would like to know if you can explain it any better. Thank

Hi.
What does it mean when the directions say,
''Identify the slope and y-intercept of the graph of each 
equation''? I would like to know if you can explain it 
any better.
Thank you!

Here's a way that always works:

1. Find the number on the x-axis where the graphed line 
   crosses it. Call that number a. [a is the x-intercept]
2. Find the number on the y-axis where the graphed line 
   crosses it. Call that number b. {b is the y-intercept]
3. Make the fraction b/a and simplify if possible.
4. Change the sign of that.  That's the slope.

Example 1.
Look at the graph of this line:

 

1. The number on the x-axis where the graphed line 
   crosses it is 2.
2. The number on the y-axis where the graphed line 
   crosses it is -3. 
3. Make the fraction -3/2
4. Change the sign of that to +3/2.  That's the slope!

Example 2.
Look at the graph of this line:

 

1. The number on the x-axis where the graphed line 
   crosses it is +8.
2. The number on the y-axis where the graphed line 
   crosses it is +4.
3. Make the fraction (+4)/(+8) and that simplifies to 1/2.
4. Change the sign of that to -1/2.  That's the slope!


Also, I was wondering if you could help me solve this 
problem out:
Graph the equation y = -x

1. Find at least two points following these rules.
   It's a good idea to find a third point as a check 
   to see if all three line up.

   A. Arbitrarily pick some value (number) and a 
      letter either x or y.
   B. Substitute that value you picked for the letter 
      you picked, and solve for value of the other 
      letter.
   C. Make the ordered pair (x-value, y-value)

2. Plot them.

   A. I arbitrarily pick the value -2 and the letter y.
   B. I substitute -2 for y in 

                  y = -x
                 -2 = -x
                  2 = x
   C. I make the ordered pair (2,-2)  


   A. I arbitrarily pick the value 0 and the letter y.
   B. I substitute 0 for y in 

                  y = -x
                  0 = -x
                  x = 0
   C. I make the ordered pair (0,0)

   A. I arbitrarily pick the value 3 and the letter x.
   B. I substitute 3 for x in 

                  y = -x
                  y = -3
                 
   C. I make the ordered pair (3,-3)

I plot them and draw a line through them:

  

Edwin