Flashcard #2 Linear Functions

Front

What is the definition of a linear function?

Back

A linear function is a function that can be graphically represented in the Cartesian plane as a straight line. It has the form f(x) = 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 the y-coordinate with respect to the x-coordinate. It indicates how steep the line is.

Front

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

Back

The slope-intercept form of a linear equation is given by y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

What is an undefined slope?

Back

An undefined slope occurs when a line is vertical, meaning it goes straight up and down. The formula for slope cannot be applied because the denominator (x2 - x1) equals zero.

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 does it mean for two lines to be parallel?

Back

Two lines are parallel if they have the same slope but different y-intercepts, meaning they 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.

Front

How do you determine if two lines are parallel, perpendicular, or neither?

Back

Compare the slopes of the two lines. If they are equal, the lines are parallel. If the product of the slopes is -1, they are perpendicular. Otherwise, they are neither.

Front

What is the distance formula between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)?

Back