Writing Linear Equations

Front

What is a linear equation?

Back

A linear equation is an equation that makes a straight line when graphed. It can be written in the form y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.

Front

What does the slope of a line represent?

Back

The slope of a line represents the rate of change of y with respect to x. It indicates how steep the line is and the direction it goes (positive slope means the line rises, negative slope means it falls).

Front

How do you find the slope between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)?

Back

The slope (m) can be calculated using the formula m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1).

Front

What is the y-intercept of a line?

Back

The y-intercept is the point where the line crosses the y-axis. It is represented by the value of b in the slope-intercept form y = mx + b.

Front

What is the equation of a horizontal line?

Back

The equation of a horizontal line is of the form y = k, where k is a constant.

Front

What is the equation of a vertical line?

Back

The equation of a vertical line is of the form x = k, where k is a constant.

Front

How do you convert the standard form of a linear equation to slope-intercept form?

Back

To convert from standard form Ax + By = C to slope-intercept form y = mx + b, solve for y.

Front

What is the point-slope form of a linear equation?

Back

The point-slope form is given by y - y1 = m(x - x1), where (x1, y1) is a point on the line and m is the slope.

Front

What does it mean for two lines to be parallel?

Back

Two lines are parallel if they have the same slope and will never intersect.

Front

What does it mean for two lines to be perpendicular?

Back

Two lines are perpendicular if the product of their slopes is -1, meaning they intersect at a right angle.