Linear Functions
linear equations, intercepts
and slopes
A linear equation is the equation
of a line.
The standard form of a linear equation is
Ax + By = C
* A has to be positive and cannot be a
fraction.
Examples of linear equations
2x + 4y =8 The equation is in the standard form
6y = 3 – x x + 6y = 3
4x − y 4x - y = 21
= −7
3
Examples of Nonlinear Equations
The following equations are NOT in the
standard form of Ax + By =C:
4x2 + y = 5 The exponent is 2
x=4 There is a radical in the equation
xy + x = 5 Variables are multiplied
s/r + r = 3 Variables are divided
Determine whether the equation is a
linear equation, if so write it in
standard form.
y = 5 − 2x 2x + y = 5
This is not a linear equation since its in
y = x +3
2
the second degree
2 xy = −5 y + 6 This is not a linear equation
since variables are multiplied
1 x + 20y = 12
x + 5y = 3
4
DEFINITION OF A LINEAR
FUNCTION
A linear function is a function of the form
f(x) = mx + b
where m and b are real numbers and m = 0
Transform the following into the form y = mx + b
x +y=2 y = -x + 2
2x –y=5 y = 2x - 5
8x y = 4x - 6
– 2y = 12
-3x y = 3x + 3
+ 2y = 6
2
SLOPE OF A LINE
Slope refers to the steepness of a line.
Slopes: trends
An increasing A decreasing
line defines a line defines a
positive slope negative slope
A horizontal A vertical line
line defines a defines an
zero slope undefined
slope
Finding the slope of Linear
functions
What is the slope of a line passes through points (4,6) and (3,4)?
m=2
Determine the Slope of the following linear functions
that passes through the given pair of points
1. (3, 2), (6, 6)
2. (-9, 6), (-10, 3)
3. (-4, 2), (-5, 4)
x and y intercepts
The x coordinate of the point at which the graph of an
equation crosses the x –axis is the x- intercept.
The y coordinate of the point at which the graph of an
equation crosses the y-axis is called the y- intercept.
y- intercept
(0, y)
X- intercept
(-x,0)
Graph the linear equation using the
x- intercept and the y intercept
3x + 2y = 9
To find the x- intercept, let y = 0
3x + 2y = 9
3x + 2(0) = 9 Replace y with 0
3x = 9 Divide each side by 3
x=3
To find the y- intercept, let x = 0
3x + 2y = 9
3(0) + 2y = 9 Replace x with 0
2y = 9 Divide each side by 2
y = 9/2
Plot the two points and connect
them to draw the line.
2x + y = 4
To find the x- intercept, let y = 0
2x + y = 4 Original Equation
2x + (0) = 4 Replace y with 0
2x =4 Divide each side by 3
x=2
To find the y- intercept, let x = 0
2x + y = 4 Original Equation
2(0) + y = 4 Replace x with 0
y=4 Simplify
Plot the two points and connect them to draw the line.
Find the x and y- intercepts
of x = 4y – 5
● x-intercept: ● y-intercept:
● Plug in y = 0 ● Plug in x = 0
x = 4y - 5 x = 4y - 5
x = 4(0) - 5 0 = 4y - 5
x=0-5 5 = 4y
5
x = -5 =y
4
● (-5, 0) is the 5
● (0, ) is the
x-intercept 4
y-intercept
Find the x and y-intercepts
of g(x) = -3x – 1*
● x-intercept ● y-intercept
1 ● (0, -1) is the
● ( − , 0) is the
3
x-intercept y-intercept
*g(x) is the same as y
Find the x and y-intercepts
of x = 3
● y-intercept
● x-intercept
● A vertical line never
●There is no y.
crosses the y-axis.
●x = 3 is a vertical line ● There is no y-intercept.
so x always
equals 3.
● (3, 0) is the x-intercept. x
y
Find the x and y-intercepts
of y = -2
● x-intercept ● y-intercept
● Plug in y = 0. ● y = -2 is a horizontal line
y cannot = 0 because
y = -2. so y always equals -2.
● y = -2 is a horizontal ● (0,-2) is the y-intercept.
line so it never crosses
the x-axis. x
●There is no x-intercept.
y
EQUATION OF A LINEAR
FUNCTION
Slope- Intercept form
y = mx + b
y = mx + b
Give the equation of the linear function y in slope
intercept form given its slope and y-intercept
1. m = -3, b = 2
2. m= 2, b = - 4
3. M = 1/3, b = 3
EQUATION OF A LINEAR
FUNCTION
Point-Slope form
y –y1= m(x – x1)
y –y1= m(x – x1)
Give the equation of the linear function y with the
given slope and passing through given points.
1. m = 2, through (1, 2)
2. m= -3, through (5, 0)
3. m = -1/3, through (-1, 3)
EQUATION OF A LINEAR
FUNCTION
Give the equation of the linear function y with the
given slope and passing through given points.
1. through (1, 2) and (3, -2)
2. through (5, 0) and (-1, 3)
EQUATION OF A LINEAR
FUNCTION
Intercept Form
_x_ + _y_
= 1
a b
Questions??
