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 goes up, negative slope goes down).

Front

What is the y-intercept in a linear equation?

Back

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

Front

How do you find the slope from 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 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 write the equation of a line given a slope and a point?

Back

Use the point-slope form: y - y1 = m(x - x1), where (x1, y1) is the point and m is the slope.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

Convert the equation 3x + 4y = 12 to slope-intercept form.

Back

The slope-intercept form is y = -3/4x + 3.

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.