<PRE><B>Question 358820</B>
Okay, first, the y-intercept. &lt;br&gt;

The y-intercept is just the point on a graph of an equation where the graph crosses the y-axis.&lt;br&gt;

The y-intercept can be labeled as just a number y, or it is in the form (0,y) where y is some number.&lt;br&gt;

The y-intercept will always be (0,y) and as you can imagine, the x-intercept is similar.&lt;br&gt;

It is the point where the graph crosses the x-axis and is always labeled as a number x, or as the point (x,0).&lt;br&gt;

A graph of an equation can have many x-intercepts and y-intercepts.&lt;br&gt;

The good thing about a line is that it can have only one y-intercept and one x-intercept, unless it is a vertical line (x=0) or horizontal line (y=0).&lt;br&gt;

As far as the slope goes, that is just a number m, which gives you the &quot;slant&quot; of the line (or curve) that you have graphed.&lt;br&gt;

You can always calculate the slope of a line using two points on the line in this formula:&lt;br&gt;

{{{m=(x2-x1)/(y2-y1)}}} where the points are (x1,y1) and (x2,y2)&lt;br&gt;

The slope is also known as RISE over RUN or {{{(RISE)/(RUN)}}}&lt;br&gt;

When the slope m is a positive number, the line increases or goes upwards as it goes from left to right.&lt;br&gt;  

Conversely, when the slope is a negative number, the line decreases or goes downward as it goes from left to right.&lt;br&gt;

The slope of a horizontal line, such as y=4, is always m=0&lt;br&gt;

The slope of a vertical line, such as x=2, is always undefined.&lt;br&gt;

There are many different uses for the slope of a line (or curve), but for some early algebraic techniques, it is used mostly for graphing a line.&lt;br&gt;

You will find many more uses for the slope of a line (or portion of a curve) when you discover Calculus!&lt;br&gt;

I hope this helps!&lt;br&gt;</PRE>