How to Graph a Linear Equation with Slope Intercept Form? (Examples) - BYJUS

# Graphing a Linear Equation (The Slope-Intercept Form)

A linear equation is an equation in which the power of the variables is always 1. Here we will discuss the concept of x-intercept, y-intercept, and the slope-intercept form of a line. Check out the solved examples to understand the steps involved in graphing linear equations. ...Read MoreRead Less

## What is a Linear Equation?

A linear equation is defined as an equation whose variables are raised to 1. When this equation is graphed, we can see that it will always take the shape of a straight line.

A linear equation in the slope-intercept form can be expressed as:

y = mx + b, where the slope is m, and the y-intercept is b.

Example: Find the slope of the line: y = 5x + 3

The equation of the line is written in the slope-intercept form: y = mx + b, where m denotes the slope and b denotes the y-intercept. We can see that the slope of the line is 5 in the equation, y = 5x + 3.

## What is the x-intercept?

The x-coordinate of the point at which a line crosses the x-axis is the x-intercept. On the x-axis, there is no y-coordinate. Hence, to find the x-intercept of an equation without drawing the graph, we just need to substitute the value of y as zero. The resulting value of x is the x-intercept.

## What is the y-intercept?

The y-coordinate of the point at which a line crosses the y-axis is the y-intercept. On the y-axis, there is no x-coordinate. Hence, to find the y-intercept of an equation without drawing the graph, we just need to substitute the value of x as zero. The resulting value of y is the y-intercept.

## How can we Derive a Linear Equation in the Slope-Intercept Form?

• Consider a line passing through the y-axis at the point of intersection (0, b).

• Consider a random point (x, y) on the line to find the equation of a line.

• The slope m is $$m~=~\frac{change~in~y}{change~in~x}~=~\frac{y~-~b}{x~-~0}$$.

• When we solve further, we get y = mx + b.

## Graphing an Equation in the Slope-Intercept Form

Example: We need to follow several steps to graph an equation in the slope-intercept form:

Identify the x-intercept by graphing y = x + 3.

Solution:

Step 1: Find the slope and the y-intercept of the given equation.

We have y = x + 3

The slope is 1 and the y-intercept is 3.

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

Step 3: Find another point by using the slope and drawing a line.

$$m ~=~\frac{rise}{run}~=~11$$

So, we plot a point that is one unit right and one unit up from (0,3) which is point (1,4)

Draw a line through these points.

The line crosses the x-axis at (-3, 0). So, the x-intercept is -3.

## Solved Examples on Graphing a Linear Equation with Slope Intercept Form

Example 1: Find the slope and the y-intercept of the linear equation: y = -3x + 2

Solution:

y = (-3) x + 2        Write in slope-intercept form y = mx + b

The slope is -3 and the y-intercept is 2.

Example 2: Find the slope and the y-intercept of the linear equation: $$y~-~2~=~\frac{4}{5}~x$$

Solution:

We have$$y~-~2~=~\frac{4}{5}~x$$

$$y~-~2~=~\frac{4}{5}~x~+~2$$                Add 2 to each side

Now the equation is of the form y = mx + b

The slope is $$\frac{4}{5}$$ and the y-intercept is 2.

Example 3: Identify the x-intercept by graphing y = 2x + 4.

Solution:

Step 1: Find the slope and the y-intercept of the given equation.

We have y = 2x + 4

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

Step 2: The y-intercept is 4. So, plot (0,4)

Step 3: Find another point by using the slope and drawing a line.

$$m~=~\frac{rise}{run}~=~\frac{2}{1}$$

Plot the point that is one unit right and 2 units up from (0,4). We get the point as (1,6). Draw a line through these points.

The line crosses the x-axis at (-2,0). So, the x-intercept is -2.

Example 4: The equation y = 3x + 5 represents the cost (in dollars) of driving a rental car x miles. Draw the graph. Interpret the slope and the y-intercept.

Solution:

In the equation y = 3x + 5, the y-intercept is 5 and the slope is 3. So, plot the point (0,5).

$$m~=~\frac{3}{1}$$

So, plot the point 3 units up and 1 unit right from (0,5). We reach at (1,8).

Draw a line through these points. This line represents the graph of the given equation.

So, from the equation, we can see that there is an initial fee of $5 to take the rental car. The slope is 3. So, the cost per mile is$3.

Example 5: The equation y = x + 6 represents the number of bikes parked, every hour after 10 a.m. Make an equation graph. Interpret the slope and the y-intercept.

Solution:

In the equation y = x + 6, the y-intercept is 6 and the slope is 1. To graph the equation, use the slope and the y-intercept. Now plot the point (0,6)

$$m~=~\frac{1}{1}$$

Plot the point 1 unit right and 1 unit up from (0,6). We reach at (1,7)

Draw a line through these points. This line represents the graph of the given equation.

The y-intercept is 6. So, till 10 a.m., 6 bikes were already parked. The slope is 1. Hence, an extra bike was parked every hour after 10 a.m.