NOTES – Linear Equations

Linear Parent Function  Find the slope between the points (-2, 8) and (-2, -2).
x1 y1 x2 y2
Linear Parent Function – the equation that all (-2, 8) and (-2, -2)
other linear equations are based upon (y = x) y2  y1 2  8 10
m    undefined
x2  x1  2  (2) 0
The slope is undefined. This means it is a vertical
line.
Horizontal and Vertical Lines (HOYY – VUXX)
Table: Label one point as (x1, y1) and another point as (x2, y2).
H – horizontal line
Use the slope formula.
0
O – “0” slope; m  0
# x y
Y – crosses the y-axis x1 -2 4 y1
Y – y=# (equation) x2 1 -2 y2
7 -14
y y 2  4 6
V – vertical line
10 -20 m 2 1    2
x2  x1 1  (2) 3
#
U – undefined slope; m   undefined The slope is -2.
0
X – crosses the x-axis rise
X – x=# (equation) Graph: Draw two points on the line. Count . Note the
run
direction for the sign! Reduce the fraction.
Slope
rise 4 2
m  
run  6 3
Slope: is the rate of change; rise  y
run x
2
The variable, m, is used for slope. The slope is  .
3
y 2  y1
Slope Formula: m 
x 2  x1 Equation: Solve for y. The slope is the number in front of the
(x1, y1) – one point x. Don’t forget the sign.
(x2, y2) – another point Examples:
 What is the slope of y = - ½ x + 5?
m = -½

How to Find the Slope From…  What is the slope of -4x + 3y = 6

-4x + 3y = 6
Two Points: Label one point as (x1, y1) and another point as +4x +4x
(x2, y2). Use the slope formula. 3y = 4x + 6
Examples: 3 3 3
 Find the slope between the points (2, 3) and (5, 9). 4
y  x 2
x1 y1 x2 y2 3
(2, 3) and (5, 9) 4
y2  y1 9  3 6 m=
m   2 3
x2  x1 5  2 3
The slope is 2.  What is the slope of y = 7?
m=0 (The equation can be rewritten as
 Find the slope between the points (-2, 4) and (3, 4). y = 0x + 7. It graphs a horizontal line.)
x1 y1 x2 y2
(-2, 4) and (3, 4)  What is the slope of x = 5?
y2  y1 44 0 The slope is undefined. (The equation cannot be
m   0
x2  x1 3  (2) 5 rewritten in y= form. It graphs a vertical line.)
The slope is 0. This means it is a horizontal line.
DIRECT VARIATION Equation: An equation is direct variation if it can be written
in the form y = kx. (Nothing can be added or subtracted.)
Direct Variation: EXAMPLES:
Two variables are directly related if their ratio remains  Direct: y = -3x and ½ x = y
constant. It is a proportional relationship.  Not Direct: y = 3x + 5 and ½ x – 3 = y
y = kx
y varies directly with x where k is the constant of variation.
(k is also the slope of the equation.) Graphs of direct
variation equations always go through the origin (0, 0).
Points: To see if points are directly related, create an
To Solve Direct Variation Problems: equation to see if can be written in the form y = kx. (See
1. Use y = kx, to find the k value. Cluster 3 Notes on writing equations.)
2. Write a direct variation equation to represent the EXAMPLES:
relationship, y = kx. Leave x and y as variables but  Are (-3, -5) and (-1, -3) directly related?
replace k with its constant. y y 3  (5) 2
3. Use the equation to find the unknown.
OR—Use a Proportion m 2 1   1
y y
 x2  x1  1  (3) 2
x x
EXAMPLES:
y – y1 = m(x – x1)
 If y varies directly with x and y = 27 when x = 6, find x
y – (-5) = 1(x – (-3))
when y = 45.
y+5=x+3
y = kx y = kx y = 4.5x
-5 = -5
27 = k(6) y = 4.5x 45 = 4.5x
y=x–2 Not Direct Variation (y = kx)
6 6 4.5 4.5
4.5 = k 10 = x
 Are (36, -12) and (-6, 2) directly related?
 Chris’s wages vary directly with the number of hours
y  y 2  (12) 14 1
that he works. If his wages for 5 hours are $29.75, m 2 1   
how much will they be for 30 hours? x2  x1  6  36  42 3
Variables: x = hours
y = wages y – y1 = m(x – x1)
y = kx y = kx y = 5.95x y – (-12) = -⅓(x – 36)
29.75 = k(5) y = 5.95x y = 5.95(30) y + 12 = -⅓x + 12
5 5 y = $178.50 -12 = -12
5.95 = k y = -⅓x Direct Variation (y = kx)

 Damian can type 45 words per minute. How many

can he type in 3 hours?
k = 45 words per minute (This is the constant.)
3 hours = 180 minutes Tables: To see if a table is direct variation, make a ratio of the
y
EQ: y = 45x coordinates ( ). If they all give the same constant value,
x
y = 45(180)
y = 8100 words write an equation to see if it can be written y = kx. If so, it is
direct.

EXAMPLES:
Determining if a Relationship is Direct Variation from: x y Direct Variation
 Graphs -2 -16 y/x = 8
EQ: y = 8x
 Equations -1 -8 y/x = 8
k=8
 Points 4 32 y/x = 8
 Tables 6 48 y/x = 8

Graph: A graph is direct variation if it goes through (0, 0).

EXAMPLES: x -5 -2 1 5 Not Direct
Direct Not Direct y 7 1 -5 -13 since y/x is
y/x = y/x = y/x = y/x =
-1.4 -0.5 -5 -2.6
not
constant.
X and Y Intercepts TRANSFORMATIONS OF THE SLOPE & Y-INTERCEPT

x-intercept: the point where the graph crosses the x-axis Slope-Intercept Form: y = mx + b
(where x,y is a point on the line, m is the slope, and b is the
y-intercept)
(#,0)
When the slope, m, is changed, the slope of the line changes.
y-intercept: the point where the graph crosses the y-axis This is the steepness and rate of change of the line. As the
(The variable, b, is used for the y-intercept.) |m| increases, the slope gets steeper. As the |m| decreases,
the slope gets flatter.
(0, #) EXAMPLES:
 What happens to the line y = ¼ x – 5 if it is changed
EXAMPLES: to y = 2x – 5?
 Find the intercepts from the graph. The slope gets steeper, but the line will still cross
the y-axis at (0, -5).
x-intercept: (-2, 0)
 What would happen to the line y= 2x +3 if the slope
y-intercept: (0, 4) was divided in half?
The line would be less steep because the slope
would change to 1.

 Find the intercepts from the graph.  What is the difference between y = 6x + 1 and y = ⅔
x + 1?
x-intercept: (0, 0) The line would be less steep because the absolute
value of the slope decreases. It still crosses the y-
y-intercept: (0, 0) axis at (0, 1).

 What happens to the line y = -⅖ x + 3 if the slope is

changed to -4?
Finding the x- and y- intercepts from an equation: The line would be steeper because the absolute
To find the x-intercept, put a “0” in for y and solve for x. value of the slope gets bigger.

To find the y-intercept, put a “0” in for x and solve for y. When the y-intercept, b, is changed, the line moves up or
down the y-axis. As b increases, the line moves up the y-axis.
EXAMPLES: As b decreases, the line moves down the y-axis. The
 Find the intercepts for 2x – 5y = 10. steepness of the line is not affected by the y-intercept.
2x – 5y = 10 2(0) – 5y = 10 EXAMPLES:
2x – 5(0) = 10 0 – 5y = 10  What would the new equation be if the line y = 2x +4
2x – 0 = 10 -5y = 10 is shifted 7 units down?
2x = 10 -5 -5 y = 2x + 4
2 2 y = -2 -7
x=5 y = 2x – 3
The x-intercept is (5, 0) and the y-intercept is (0, -2).
 What happens to the line y = 5x – 4 if it changes to
 Find the intercepts for x = -3. y = 5x + 7?
The x-intercept is (-3, 0) and there is no y-intercept The line has the same slope but moves up 11 units.
because it is a vertical line and will never
cross the y-axis.  What is the equation of this line if it is translated 5
units down?
 Find the intercepts for y = 7.
The y-intercept is (0, 7) and there is no x-intercept Old Equation: y = ½ x + 4
because it is a horizontal line and will never
cross the x-axis. New Equation: y = ½ x – 1

 Find the intercepts from the table.

x 0 2 4 6 8  What happens to the line y = ½ x + 6 changes to
x-intercept: (8, 0)
y 4 3 2 1 0 y = x – 7?
y-intercept: (0, 4)
The line is steeper and moves down 13 units.
INTERPRETING LINEAR SITUATIONS EXAMPLES:
 You are promoting your band. You spend $250 on
When interpreting a linear situation, identify the slope and y- expenses and sell each CD for $10 each. What is the
intercepts. Then, write an equation to represent the reasonable domain and range for the situation if you
situation. Use the equation to find the x-intercept. Describe have 500 CD’s to sell?
these as they apply to the situation. Equation: p = 10c – 250 (Your profit is the amount
you make minus your expenses.)
EXAMPLES: Reasonable Domain: {0, 1, 2, … , 500}
Domain is the x-values. The number of CD’s
 The cost to rent a car is $50 plus $0.10 per mile. sold is the “x” because it determines the
Identify the slope and the y-intercept. Then, write profit. Since you cannot sell negative CD’s
an equation to represent this situation. or fractions of CD’s, the domain has to be
Slope: 0.10 (Slope is the rate of change. The whole numbers from 0 to 500.
cost goes up by $0.10 per mile.) Reasonable Range: {-250, -240, -230, … , 4750}
y-intercept: 50 (The cost to rent the car is $50 Range is the y-values. The profit is the “y”
even with 0 miles driven.) because it depends on the number of CD’s
Equation: c = 0.10m + 50 (Cost is “y” because it is sold. If you didn’t sell any CD’s, you would
dependent upon the number of miles still have to pay the $250 on expenses. If
driven. The miles driven is the “x” because you sold 1 CD, you would be at a loss of
it determines the cost.) $240. If you sold all 500 CD’s, you would
x-intercept: (-500, 0) (The x-intercept has no have a profit of $4750.
c = 0.10m + 50 meaning in this situation
0 = 0.10m + 50
-50 = -50
because you cannot have  A hot air balloon is at 800 feet and is descending at
-50 = 0.10m -500 miles.) 15 feet per minute. What is the reasonable domain
0.10 0.10 and range for this situation?
-500 = m Equation: h = -15m + 800
 The number of gallons of water left in a 5000 gallon Reasonable Domain: {0  m  53.33}
pool draining at a rate of 60 gallons per minute. Domain is the x-values. The number of
Slope: -60 (Slope is the rate of change. The minutes is the “x” because it determines
pool is draining water at a rate of 60 gallons the height of the balloon. You cannot have
per minute. It is negative because it is negative time, but time can be 0 minutes
decreasing.) (the beginning). The maximum time would
y-intercept: 5000 (The pool starts, 0 be when the balloon reaches the ground in
minutes, with 5000 gallons of water.) 53.33 minutes (the x-intercept). Since time
Equation: g = -60m + 5000 (The gallons left can be fractions or decimals, it written in
in the pool is the “y” because it depends on inequality form.
the number of minutes the pool has been Reasonable Range: {0  h  800}
draining. The number of minutes draining is Range is the y-values. The height of the
the “x” because it determines the number balloon is the “y” because it depends on the
of gallons left in the pool.) number of minutes it has been descending.
x-intercept: (83.33, 0) (The x-intercept means The lowest height would be on the ground
that the pool will be finished draining in (0 feet) and the highest height would be at
83.33 minutes.) 800 feet. It is written in inequality form
because height can be fractions or decimals.

 What is the reasonable domain and range for the

REASONABLE DOMAIN AND RANGE graph?

When finding the reasonable domain and range, make sure to Domain: {0  t  20}
think about negative numbers, fractions, decimals, minimum, The domain is the x-values. The
and maximum values that make sense for the problem. It is time is between 0 and 20
also helpful to write an equation. seconds.

Reasonable Domain: The reasonable domain is the smallest Range: {0  w  30}

to largest “x” values that make sense for the problem. The range is the y-values. The
weight is between 0 and 30
Reasonable Range: The reasonable range is the smallest to ounces.
largest “y” values that make sense for the problem.
GRAPHING LINEAR EQUATIONS Point-Slope Form: y – y1 = m(x – x1)
m is the slope, (x1, y1) is a specific point on the line, and (x, y)
Graphing a linear equation using the intercepts: is any point on the line. To graph an equation from point-
1. Find the x-intercept by putting 0 in for y and solving for x. slope form, distribute and solve for y. The equation is now in
2. Find the y-intercept by putting 0 in for x and solving for y. slope-intercept form. Graph using the steps for slope-
3. Graph the two points on the correct axes and draw a line intercept form.
through the points. Make sure to draw the line all EXAMPLE: Graph 3y – 6 = -2(x – 3).
the way across the graph and put arrows on the 3y – 6 = -2(x – 3)
ends of the line to show that the line continues 3y – 6 = -2x + 6
forever in both directions. +6 = +6
3y = -2x + 12
EXAMPLE: Graph y – 2x = -4 using the intercepts. 3 3 3
y – 2x = -4 y – 2x = -4 y = -⅔ x + 4
0 – 2x = -4 y – 2(0) = -4 m = -⅔ and b = 4
-2x = -4 y – 0 = -4
-2 -2 y = -4
x=2 Standard Form: Ax + By = C
The x-intercept is (2, 0) and the y-intercept is (0, -4) (x, y) is a point on the line. You have two options to graph an
equation that is in standard form.
Option 1: Solve for y and graph like you would for slope-
intercept form.
Option 2: Graph like you would using the intercepts.

GRAPHING HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL LINES

Slope-Intercept Form: y = mx + b Horizontal Lines: Equations that only have

m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. To graph an equation the y variable, graph horizontal lines.
from slope-intercept form, identify the slope (m) and y-
intercept (b). Make sure to include the correct sign with each y=2
number and change the slope to a fraction.
Vertical Lines: Equations that only have the x variable,
1. Solve for y. graph vertical lines.
2. Graph the y-intercept, b, on the y-axis.
rise
3. From the y-intercept, use the slope to count to get
run
another point. Watch the sign for the direction. x = -3
4. Connect the points with a line. Make sure to put arrows
on the ends to show that the line continues forever
in both directions. WRITING EQUATIONS OF LINES

EXAMPLES: Writing Equations of Lines Given the Slope and the

 Graph y = - ½ x + 4 y-intercept:
m = - ½ and b= 4 Substitute the slope in for m and the y-intercept in for b into
the slope-intercept form: y = mx + b.
Special Cases: If the slope is zero, it is a horizontal line. The
equation is y = (the y-value of the point). If the slope
is undefined, it is a vertical line. The equation is
x = (the x-value of the point).
EXAMPLES:
 Write the equation of the line that has a y-intercept
of 74 and a slope of -2.8. EQ: y = -2.8x + 74
 Graph 2x – 4 = 2y.
2x – 4 = 2y  Write the equation of the line that has a y-intercept
2 2 2 of 5 and a zero slope. EQ: y = 5
x–2=y
m = 1 and b = -2  Write the equation of the line that has an undefined
slope and passes through (6, 0). EQ: x = 6
WRITING EQUATIONS OF LINES – cont. EXAMPLES:
 Find the equation of the line that passes through the
Writing an Equation of a Line Given the Slope and a Point: points (-3, 5) and (-2, 9).
x1 y1 x2 y2
1. Substitute the slope in for m and the point in for x1 and y1 y2  y1 95 4
into the point-slope form: m   4
x2  x1  2  (3) 1
y – y1 = m(x – x1). Leave the x and y as variables.
2. Distribute and solve for y.
y – y1 = m(x – x1)
y – 5 = 4(x – (-3))
y – 5 = 4(x + 3)
EXAMPLES:
y – 5 = 4x + 12
 Write the equation of the line that has a slope of 2
+5 +5
that passes through the point (-1, -5).
y = 4x + 17
y – y1 = m(x – x1)
y – (-5) = 2(x – (-1))
y + 5 = 2(x + 1)
y + 5 = 2x + 2
 Find the equation of the line that passes through the
-5 -5
points (-2, 4) and (-8, 12).
y = 2x – 3 x1 y1 x2 y2

y2  y1 12  4 8
m    4 3
 Write the equation of the line that passes through x2  x1  8  (2)  6
the point (7, -5) and has a slope of – ¼ .
y – y1 = m(x – x1) y – y1 = m(x – x1)
y – (-5) = - ¼ (x – 7) y – 4 =  4 (x-(-2))
3
y+5=-¼x+ 7
4 y – 4 =  4 (x + 2)
-5 -5 3
y = - ¼ x – 13 y – 4 = 4 x - 8
4 3 3
+4 +4
y = 4 x + 4
3 3
 Write the equation of the line that has an undefined
slope and passes through the point (1, 8).
x=1 (Lines with undefined slopes are vertical
lines. The equation for vertical lines is x = #.  Find the equation of the line that passes through
The # is the x-value of the point.) (-2, 4) and (8, 4).
x1 y1 x2 y2
y2  y1 44 0
 Write the equation of the line that has a zero slope m   0
x2  x1 8  (2) 10
and passes through the point (9, 4).
y=4 (Lines with zero slopes are horizontal lines.
The equation for horizontal lines is y = #. y=4 When the slope is zero, it is a horizontal
The # is the y-value of the point.) line. Horizontal line equations are y = #.
The # is the y-coordinate of the points.

Writing an Equation of a Line Given Two Points:  Find the equation of the line that passes through the
1. Find the slope between the points by using the slope points (-3, 4) and (-3, 0).
x1 y1 x2 y2
y  y1
formula: m  2 . y2  y1 04 4
x 2  x1 m    undefined
x2  x1  3  (3) 0
Remember that if the slope is “0”, it is a horizontal
line (y = the y-value). If the slope is undefined, it is a
vertical line (x = the x-value). x = -3 When the slope is undefined, it is a vertical
2. Use the slope for m and one of the points for x1 and y1 into line. Vertical line equations are x =. The # is
the point-slope form of an equation: the x-coordinate of the points.
y – y1 = m(x – x1). Leave the x and y as variables.
3. Distribute and solve for y.
Writing Equations from a Graph: Writing Equations for a Parallel Line through a Given Point:
If the y-intercept is an integer, find the slope and use the 1. Find the slope of the given equation or points.
steps for writing an equation given the slope and y-intercept. 2. Since parallel lines have the same slope, use that slope for
EXAMPLE: your new equation.
 3. Put that slope in for m and the given point in for x1 and y1
b = 2 and m = -3 into the point-slope form of the equation:
y – y1 = m(x – x1).
Equation: y = -3x + 2 4. Solve for y.

EXAMPLES:
 Write the equation of the line parallel to y = 4x – 3
If the y-intercept is not an integer, find the slope and one that passes through the point (2, -6).
x1 y1
point that has integers for x and y. Then, follow the steps for
||m = 4
writing an equation given the slope and a point.
y – y1 = m(x – x1)
EXAMPLE: y – (-6) = 4(x – 2)
 m = 1 y + 6 = 4x – 8
7 -6 -6
y = 4x - 14
y – y1 = m(x – x1)
y  (3)   1 7 (x  (3))  Write the equation of the line parallel to x + y = 8
that passes through the point (1, 4).
y  3   1 7 (x  3) x+y=8 x1 y1
-x -x
y  3   17 x  37 y = -x + 8 y – y1 = m(x – x1)
y – 4 = -1(x – 1)
-3 -3 ||m = -1 y – 4 = -x + 1
y   7 x  24 7
1 +4 +4
y = -x + 5

PARALLEL AND PERPENDICULAR LINES Writing Equations for a Perpendicular Line through a Given
Point:
Parallel (||) Lines: lines that never intersect. Parallel lines 1. Find the slope of the given equation or points.
have the same slope. 2. Since perpendicular lines have opposite reciprocal slopes,
EXAMPLES: make the slope a fraction, flip the fraction over, and
change the sign to get the new slope.
 What is the slope of the line parallel to y = 2.5x – 3?
3. Put the new slope in for m and the given point in for x1 and
||m = 2.5
y1 into the point-slope form of the equation:
y – y1 = m(x – x1).
 What is the slope of the line parallel to 2x + 3y = 12?
4. Solve for y.
2x + 3y = 12
-2x -2x
EXAMPLES:
3y = 12 – 2x
 Write the equation of the line perpendicular to
3 3 3
y = - ½ x – 4 that passes through (-6, -8).
y=4-⅔x ||m = -⅔ x1 y1
m = 2
Perpendicular () Lines: lines that intersect at a right angle y – y1 = m(x – x1)
(90). Perpendicular lines have slopes that are opposite y – (-8) = 2(x – (-6))
y + 8 = 2(x + 6)
reciprocals (a fraction “flipped” over with the opposite sign). y + 8 = 2x + 12
EXAMPLES: -8 -8
 What is the slope of the line perpendicular to y = 2x + 4
y = - ½ x – 4?
m = 2  Write the equation of the line perpendicular to
-6x + 2y = 4 that passes through (9, -2).
-6x + 2y = 4 x1 y1
 What is the slope of the line parallel to x – 3y = 6?
+6x +6x
x – 3y = 6 2y = 6x + 4
-x -x 2 2 2 y – y1 = m(x – x1)
-3y = -x + 6 y = 3x + 2 y – (-2) = -⅓(x – 9)
-3 -3 -3 y + 2 = -⅓x + 3
m = -⅓
y=⅓x–2 m = -3 -2 -2
y = -⅓x + 1
Parallel Horizontal and Vertical Lines:
Turn off Stat Plot: 1.  -  (for ); 2.  on
If you have a horizontal line (y = #), the parallel line is also Plot 1; 3. Highlight and turn plot off
horizontal (y = #).
EXAMPLE: What is the equation of the line that is parallel to
Change Window: 
y = 3 that passes through the point (-2, -4)? Xmin = smallest x
y = -4
Xmax = biggest x
Xscl = count by #
If you have a vertical line (x = #), the parallel line is also Ymin = smallest x
vertical (x = #). Ymax = biggest x
EXAMPLE: What is the equation of the line that is parallel to
Yscl = count by #
x = 8 that passes through the point (0, 2)?
x=0
Original Window: 1.; 2. 6:ZStandard
Perpendicular Horizontal and Vertical Lines:

If you have a horizontal line (y = #), the perpendicular line is

vertical (x = #). Writing an Equation Given Two Points, Table, or Scatterplot:
EXAMPLE: What is the equation of the line that is 1.  –Edit;
perpendicular to y = 4 that passes through (10, 7)? 2. Enter the x-values in  and the corresponding y-values in
x = 10 .
3. -   - 4:LinReg - 
If you have a vertical line (x = #), the perpendicular line is
This will give you the equation y = ax + b and values
horizontal (y = #).
for a and b. a is the slope and b is the y-intercept.
EXAMPLE: What is the equation of the line that is
Put these values into the formula and this is the
perpendicular to x = -3 that passes through (-2, -5)?
equation.
y = -5
4. Put the equation in . Go to the  by pushing
 - and check the points.

CALCULATOR TIPS

Graphing Equations and Finding Points:

1. If you have an equation that is solved for y, you can enter
this equation into .
2. To see the line, push . But, do not use the picture
to graph the line on your paper.
3. To graph this line on your paper, push  -  to see
the . Graph these point to make the line.
Don’t forget to put arrows on the ends to show that
the line continues forever in both directions.

CALCULATOR (GRAPH POINTS AND CHECK FUNCTION RULE)

Enter Data: 1.  –Edit; 2. Enter independent (x) values in

 and dependent (y) values in 

Clear Data: 1.  – Edit; 2.  to highlight  (or ); 3.

–

Graph Points: 1.  -  (for ); 2.  on Plot

1; 3. Highlight and turn plot on; 4. 