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Graphs Using Slope-Intercept Form

Use the y-intercept and the 'rise over run' to graph a line

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Practice Graphs Using Slope-Intercept Form
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Graphs of Lines from Equations

Can you graph the linear function on a Cartesian grid?

Guidance

The graph of any linear function can be plotted using the slope-intercept form of the equation.

• Step 1: Solve the equation for if it is not already in the form .
• Step 2: To graph the function, start by plotting the -intercept.
• Step 3: Use the slope to find another point on the line. From the -intercept, move to the right the number of units equal to the denominator of the slope and then up or down the number of units equal to the numerator of the slope. Plot the point.
• Step 4: Connect these two points to form a line and extend the line.

Note: You can repeat Step 3 multiple times in order to find more points on the line if you wish.

Because the equations of horizontal and vertical lines are special, these types of lines can be graphed differently:

• The graph of a horizontal line will have an equation of the form where is the y-intercept of the line. You can simply draw a horizontal line through the y-intercept to sketch the graph.
• The graph of a vertical line will have an equation of the form , where is the x-intercept of the line. You can simply draw a vertical line through the x-intercept to sketch the graph.

Example A

For the following linear function, state the -intercept and the slope: .

Solution:

The first step is to rewrite the equation in the form . To do this, solve the equation for ‘’.

The -intercept is (0, –3) and the slope is .

Example B

Graph the linear function on a Cartesian grid.

Solution:

The -intercept is (0, 7) and the slope is . Begin by plotting the -intercept on the grid.

From the -intercept, move to the right (run) 5 units and then move downward (rise) 3 units. Plot a point here.

Join the points with a straight line. Use a straight edge to draw the line.

Example C

Plot the following linear equations on a Cartesian grid.

i)

ii)

Solution:

i) A line that has as its equation passes through all points that have –3 as the coordinate. The line also has a slope that is undefined. This line is parallel to the -axis.

ii) A line that has as its equation passes through all points that have 5 as the coordinate. The line also has a slope of zero. This line is parallel to the -axis.

Concept Problem Revisited

Plot the linear function on a Cartesian grid.

The first step is to rewrite the function in slope-intercept form.

The slope of the line is and the -intercept is (0, 4)

Plot the -intercept at (0, 4). From the -intercept, move to the right 4 units and then move upward 5 units. Plot the point. Using a straight edge, join the points.

Vocabulary

Slope-Intercept Form

The slope-intercept form is one method for writing the equation of a line. The slope-intercept form is where refers to the slope and identifies the -intercept. This form is used to plot the graph of a linear function.

Guided Practice

1. Using the slope-intercept method, graph the linear function

2. Using the slope-intercept method, graph the linear function

3. Graph the following lines on the same Cartesian grid. What shape is formed by the graphs?

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

1. The slope of the line is and the -intercept is (0, –1). Plot the -intercept. Apply the slope to the -intercept. Use a straight edge to join the two points.

2. Write the equation in slope-intercept form.

The slope is and the -intercept is (0, –5). Plot the -intercept. Apply the slope to the -intercept. Use a straight edge to join the two points.

3. There are four lines to be graphed. The lines and are lines with a slope of zero and are parallel to the -axis. The lines and are lines that have a slope that is undefined and are parallel to the -axis. The shape formed by the intersections of the lines is a rectangle.

Practice

For each of the following linear functions, state the slope and the -intercept:

Using the slope-intercept method, graph the following linear functions:

Graph the following linear equations and state the slope of the line:

Vocabulary Language: English

Cartesian Plane

Cartesian Plane

The Cartesian plane is a grid formed by a horizontal number line and a vertical number line that cross at the (0, 0) point, called the origin.
linear equation

linear equation

A linear equation is an equation between two variables that produces a straight line when graphed.
Linear Function

Linear Function

A linear function is a relation between two variables that produces a straight line when graphed.
Slope-Intercept Form

Slope-Intercept Form

The slope-intercept form of a line is $y = mx + b,$ where $m$ is the slope and $b$ is the $y-$intercept.