Graphing Linear Equations

4.4 in Slope-Intercept Form

Learning Target: Graph linear equations in slope-intercept form.
Success Criteria: • I can identify the slope and y-intercept of a line given an equation.
• I can rewrite a linear equation in slope-intercept form.
• I can use the slope and y-intercept to graph linear equations.

EXPLORATION 1 Deriving an Equation

Work with a partner. In the previous section, you learned that the graph of a
proportional relationship can be represented by the equation y 5 mx, where
m is the constant of proportionality.

y
(x, y)
y = mx

(1, m)

(0, 0) (1, 0) (x, 0) x

a. You translate the graph of a proportional relationship 3 units up as

Math Practice shown below. Let (x, y) represent any point on the graph. Make a
Understand conjecture about the equation of the line. Explain your reasoning.
Quantities y
How does the (x, y)
meaning of the
equation y 5 mx help
you make a conjecture
in part (a)?
(1, m + 3)

(0, 3) (1, 3) (x, 3)

b. Describe the relationship between the corresponding side lengths of

the triangles. Explain your reasoning.

c. Use the relationship in part (b) to write an equation relating y, m, and x.

Does your equation support your conjecture in part (a)? Explain.

d. You translate the graph of a proportional relationship b units up.

Write an equation relating y, m, x, and b. Justify your answer.

Section 4.4 Graphing Linear Equations in Slope-Intercept Form 161

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 4.4 Lesson

Key Vocabulary
x-intercept, p. 162
Key Ideas
y-intercept, p. 162 Intercepts
slope-intercept form,
p. 162 The x-intercept of a line is the y
y-intercept = b
x-coordinate of the point where
the line crosses the x-axis. It occurs
(0, b)
when y = 0. x-intercept = a

The y-intercept of a line is the

O (a, 0) x
y-coordinate of the point where
the line crosses the y-axis. It occurs
when x = 0.

Slope-Intercept Form
ns can,
Linear equatio pass Words A linear equation written in the form y = mx + b is
w s,
ay
but do not al in slope-intercept form. The slope of the line is m,
rigin.
through the o and the y-intercept of the line is b.
rt io nal
So, propo
s ar ea
relationship Algebra y = mx + b
o f lin ear
special type = 0.
h ic h b
equation in w slope y-intercept

EXAMPLE 1 Identifying Slopes and y-Intercepts

Find the slope and the y-intercept of the graph of each linear equation.
a. y = −4x − 2
y = −4x + (−2) Write in slope-intercept form.

The slope is −4, and the y-intercept is −2.

3
b. y − 5 = — x
2
3
y = —x + 5 Add 5 to each side.
2
3
The slope is —, and the y-intercept is 5.
2

Try It Find the slope and the y-intercept of the graph of the
linear equation.
2
1. y = 3x − 7 2. y − 1 = − —x
3

162 Chapter 4 Graphing and Writing Linear Equations Multi-Language Glossary at BigIdeasMath.com

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 EXAMPLE 2 Graphing a Linear Equation in Slope-Intercept Form
Graph y = −3x + 3. Identify the x-intercept.

Step 1: Find the slope and the y-intercept.

y = −3x + 3
slope y-intercept

Step 2: The y-intercept is 3. So, plot (0, 3). y = −3x + 3

Step 3: Use the slope to find another point y

and draw the line. 1

(0, 3)
rise −3 −3
Math Practice m =— = —
run 1
1

−3 −2 −1 2 3 x
Find General
Plot the point that is 1 unit right and
Methods −2
3 units down from (0, 3). Draw a line
How can you use
substitution to find through the two points.
the x-intercept of a
line? The line crosses the x-axis at (1, 0). So, the x-intercept is 1.

Try It Graph the linear equation. Identify the x-intercept.

1
3. y = x − 4 4. y = −— x + 1
2

Self-Assessment for Concepts & Skills

Solve each exercise. Then rate your understanding of the success criteria
in your journal.

5. IN YOUR OWN WORDS Consider the graph of the equation

y = mx + b .
a. How does changing the value of m affect the graph of the equation?
b. How does changing the value of b affect the graph of the equation?

IDENTIFYING SLOPE AND y-INTERCEPT Find the slope and the y-intercept
of the graph of the linear equation.
3
6. y = −x + 0.25 7. y − 2 = −— x
4

GRAPHING A LINEAR EQUATION Graph the linear equation. Identify the

x-intercept.
8. y = x − 7 9. y = 2x + 8

Section 4.4 Graphing Linear Equations in Slope-Intercept Form 163

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 EXAMPLE 3 Modeling Real Life
The cost y (in dollars) of taking a taxi
x miles is represented by the equation
y = 2.5x + 2. Graph the equation.
Interpret the y-intercept and the slope.
Understand
the problem. You are given an equation that
represents the cost of taking a taxi. You
are asked to graph the equation and
interpret the y-intercept and the slope.

Make a plan. Use the equation to identify the slope and the y-intercept. Then graph
the equation and interpret the y-intercept and the slope.

Solve and
check. The equation is already written in the form y 5 mx 1 b. So, the slope
5
is 2.5 = — and the y-intercept is 2. Use the slope and the y-intercept to
2
graph the equation.
y
Check 7
Use a graphing calculator to The y-intercept is 2. 6
graph y 5 2.5x 1 2. So, plot (0, 2). 5 Use the slope to plot
5 another point, (2, 7). Draw
4
8
3 a line through the points.
(0, 2) 2

y = 2.5x + 2 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 x

−1 7 The y-intercept is 2. So, there is an initial fee of $2 to take

the taxi. The slope is 2.5. So, the cost per mile is $2.50.
−1

Self-Assessment for Problem Solving

Solve each exercise. Then rate your understanding of the success criteria
in your journal.

10. The height y (in feet) of a movable bridge after rising for x seconds is
represented by the equation y = 3x + 16. Graph the equation. Interpret
the y-intercept and slope. How many seconds does it take the bridge to
reach a height of 76 feet? Justify your answer.

11. The number y of perfume bottles in storage after x months

is represented by the equation y = −20x + 460. Graph the
equation. Interpret the y-intercept and the slope. In how
many months will there be no perfume bottles left in
storage? Justify your answer.

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 4.4 Practice Go to BigIdeasMath.com to get
HELP with solving the exercises.

Review & Refresh

Tell whether x and y are in a proportional relationship. Explain your reasoning.
If so, write an equation that represents the relationship.
1. 2. x −8 −4 4 8
x 1 2 3 4
y 6 8 10 12 y 4 2 −2 −4

Solve the equation for y.

4
3. x = 4y − 2 4. 3y = −6x + 1 5. 1 + y = −— x − 2
5
2
6. 2.5y = 5x − 5 7. 1.3y + 5.2 = −3.9x 8. y − — x = −6
3

Concepts, Skills, & Problem Solving

GRAPHING A LINEAR EQUATION Graph the equation. (See Exploration 1, p. 161.)
9. The graph of y = 3.5x is translated up 2 units.
10. The graph of y = −5x is translated down 3 units.

MATCHING EQUATIONS AND GRAPHS Match the equation with its graph.
Identify the slope and the y-intercept.
1 2
11. y = 2x + 1 12. y = — x − 2 13. y = −— x + 1
3 3
A. y B. y C. y
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1
x
−3 −2 −1 1 2 3 −3 −2 1 2 3 x −3 −2 −1 1 3 x

−2 −2
−3 −3 −3

IDENTIFYING SLOPES AND y-INTERCEPTS Find the slope and the

y-intercept of the graph of the linear equation.
4
14. y = 4x − 5 15. y = −7x + 12 16. y = −— x − 2
5
4 3
17. y = 2.25x + 3 18. y + 1 = — x 19. y − 6 = — x
3 8
1
20. y − 3.5 = −2x 21. y = −5 − — x 22. y = 11 + 1.5x
2

23. YOU BE THE TEACHER Your friend finds the slope

and y-intercept of the graph of the equation y = 4x − 3. y = 4x − 3; The slope is 4
Is your friend correct? Explain your reasoning. and the y-intercept is 3.

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 24. MODELING REAL LIFE The number y of seasonal allergy shots available
at a facility x days after receiving a shipment is represented by y = −15x + 375.
a. Graph the linear equation.
b. Interpret the slope and the y-intercept.

GRAPHING AN EQUATION Graph the linear equation. Identify the

x-intercept.
25. y = x + 3 26. y = 4x − 8 27. y = −3x + 9

28. y = −5x − 5 29. y + 14 = −7x 30. y = 8 − 2x

31. PRECISION You go to a harvest

festival and pick apples.
a. Which equation represents the cost
(in dollars) of going to the festival and
picking x pounds of apples? Explain.

y = 5x + 0.75 y = 0.75x + 5

b. Graph the equation you chose in part (a).

32. REASONING Without graphing, identify

the equations of the lines that are parallel.
Explain your reasoning.

1 1
y = 2x + 4 y = —x + 1 y = 2x − 3 y = 2x + 1 y = —x + 2
2 2

33. PROBLEM SOLVING A skydiver parachutes

to the ground. The height y (in feet) of the
skydiver after x seconds is y = −10x + 3000.
a. Graph the linear equation.
b. Interpret the slope, y-intercept,
and x-intercept.

34. DIG DEEPER Six friends create a website.

The website earns money by selling banner ads.
It costs $120 a month to operate the website.
a. A banner ad earns $0.005 per click.
Write a linear equation that represents the
monthly profit after paying operating costs.
b. Graph the equation in part (a). On the graph,
label the number of clicks needed for the
friends to start making a profit. Explain.

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