Algebra ( Period 1)

Chapter 4-1 Graphing Equations in Slope-Intercept Form

The most used form of a linear equation: Slope Intercept form

You must restate the equation to get it into the following format:

y = mx + b

where        m= slope     and            b = y-intercept ( where the line crosses the y axis)

The m and b are called the PARAMETERS of the equation.

Solve the equation for “y” means isolate the y on one side of the equal signs

Example:  -3y = -2x  - 6

If you tried graphing randomly, (setting up a small table or t chart) you would problem select the x points of 0, 1, 2.  Only when x = 0 will give you an integer value for y. All the other y values are fractions/ decimals à which makes it difficult to graph accurately!
 

The slope- intercept form provides the explanation for this.

RESTATE -3y = -2x – 6 INTO SLOPE-INTERCEPT FORM:

 Divide BOTH sides by -3:

y = (2/3)(x) + 2

Look at the coefficient for x?
What  x values will give you integer answers for y?

They need to be multiples of 3.

Now look at the graph of  y = (2/3)(x) + 2  
Notice that the +2 at the end is the y-intercept (without doing any work!) YAY!!!

Use the counting method for slope on your graph, you should have counted:
UP  2 and RIGHT 3. The slope therefore is 2/3
Look at the equation—it told you the slope was 2/3 without any work (YAY!!)

Graphing when the line is in Slope- Intercept Form

So if you have the slope- intercept form of the equation it is really easy to graph the line:

1) Graph the intercept on the y axis (That is the positive or negative constant at the end of your equation. Your HOME BASE)

2) Count the next point by using the slope of x coefficient as a fraction (so if you have an integer—place it “over” 1)

For the equation y = (2/3)(x) + 2

1) graph  a point at (0,2)

2) From (0,2) count up 2 and over to the right 3 to find the next coordinate ( 3, 4)

Remember slope is “ y over x” or “Rise over Run”
The numerator is the change in y  and the denominator is the change in x.

If it is positive you are counting up (positive) and to the right (positive) OR
you can count down (negative) and to the left (negative) because when multiplying 2 negatives become positive

If it is negative you are counting down (negative) and to the right (positive) OR
you can count up (positive) and to the left (negative) because then you would have a positive ∙ negative = negative

Example: m = -2/3 and b = -12
The line would be y = (-2/3)x - 12

Restate Standard Form to Slope- Intercept Form

Another example: 3x + 4y = 10 is the STANDARD FORM of a line 
(Notice; x and y are on the same side of the equal sign, x is positive, there are NO fractions, and the constant is alone)
This equation is NOT easy to graph in this form because your y intercept will not be an integer ( In fact it will not be that easy to graph in slope intercept either—but we will get to that later)

Restate into slope intercept

Solve for y
First subtract 3x from both sides:

4y = -3x + 10

Now divide both sides by 4:

y = (-3/4)x + 10/4   or

y = (-3/4)x + 5/2

The slope is the coefficient of the x so

m = -3/4 (so you are sliding down at a little less than a 45 degree angle. Remember a slope of 1 or -1 is  45 degrees)

The y intercept is the constant b = 5/2 ( so the line crosses the y axis at 2½)

Notice that the ‘b’ is a fraction.
When this happens the slope- intercept form MAY NOT be the best form to graph the line. You MUST start at 2½ on the y axis and count down 3 and to the right 4. That is actually HARD to get accurate!

Neither 3 nor 4 is a factor of the constant 10 ( 3x + 4y = 10) so the intercepts will also be fractions.

We need the x term to end up with ½ so that when we add that to the b (which is 5/2) we will get an integer.
So try letting x be 2 because that will cross cancel with the -3/4 slope

y = (-3/4)(2) + 5/2 =  -3/2 + 5/2 = 1
so we just found a coordinate that has just integers ( 2, 1)
Graph that point. Now count the slope from THAT POINT ( instead of the y intercept)

HORIZONTAL LINES
You can think of these lines in Slope- Intercept form as y = mx + b IF your REMEMBER that the slope of a horizontal line = 0 àthe equation is y = (0)x + b
We have already learned that the equation of any horizontal line is y = a constant
Except for the horizontal line y = 0 ( which is the x axis) horizontal lines have no x intercept and therefore no intercepts ( no roots, no solutions, no zeros)

Finding the equation of a line by looking at its graph is easy if you can read the y intercept!

Simply plug in the y intercept as  b and then count the rise over run as the slope!

Algebra Honors ( Period 4 & 7)

Chapter 4-1 Graphing Equations in Slope-Intercept Form

The most used form of a linear equation: Slope Intercept form

You must restate the equation to get it into the following format:

y = mx + b

where        m= slope     and            b = y-intercept ( where the line crosses the y axis)

The m and b are called the PARAMETERS of the equation.

Solve the equation for “y” means isolate the y on one side of the equal signs

Example:  -3y = -2x  - 6

If you tried graphing randomly, (setting up a small table or t chart) you would problem select the x points of 0, 1, 2.  Only when x = 0 will give you an integer value for y. All the other y values are fractions/ decimals à which makes it difficult to graph accurately!
 

The slope- intercept form provides the explanation for this.

RESTATE -3y = -2x – 6 INTO SLOPE-INTERCEPT FORM:

 Divide BOTH sides by -3:

y = (2/3)(x) + 2

Look at the coefficient for x?
What  x values will give you integer answers for y?

They need to be multiples of 3.

Now look at the graph of  y = (2/3)(x) + 2 
Notice that the +2 at the end is the y-intercept (without doing any work!) YAY!!!

Use the counting method for slope on your graph, you should have counted:
UP  2 and RIGHT 3. The slope therefore is 2/3
Look at the equation—it told you the slope was 2/3 without any work (YAY!!)

Graphing when the line is in Slope- Intercept Form

So if you have the slope- intercept form of the equation it is really easy to graph the line:

1) Graph the intercept on the y axis (That is the positive or negative constant at the end of your equation. Your HOME BASE)

2) Count the next point by using the slope of x coefficient as a fraction (so if you have an integer—place it “over” 1)

For the equation y = (2/3)(x) + 2

1) graph  a point at (0,2)

2) From (0,2) count up 2 and over to the right 3 to find the next coordinate ( 3, 4)

Remember slope is “ y over x” or “Rise over Run”
The numerator is the change in y  and the denominator is the change in x.

If it is positive you are counting up (positive) and to the right (positive) OR
you can count down (negative) and to the left (negative) because when multiplying 2 negatives become positive

If it is negative you are counting down (negative) and to the right (positive) OR
you can count up (positive) and to the left (negative) because then you would have a positive ∙ negative = negative

Example: m = -2/3 and b = -12
The line would be y = (-2/3)x - 12

Restate Standard Form to Slope- Intercept Form

Another example: 3x + 4y = 10 is the STANDARD FORM of a line
(Notice; x and y are on the same side of the equal sign, x is positive, there are NO fractions, and the constant is alone)
This equation is NOT easy to graph in this form because your y intercept will not be an integer ( In fact it will not be that easy to graph in slope intercept either—but we will get to that later)

Restate into slope intercept

Solve for y
First subtract 3x from both sides:

4y = -3x + 10

Now divide both sides by 4:

y = (-3/4)x + 10/4   or

y = (-3/4)x + 5/2

The slope is the coefficient of the x so

m = -3/4 (so you are sliding down at a little less than a 45 degree angle. Remember a slope of 1 or -1 is  45 degrees)

The y intercept is the constant b = 5/2 ( so the line crosses the y axis at 2½)

Notice that the ‘b’ is a fraction.
When this happens the slope- intercept form MAY NOT be the best form to graph the line. You MUST start at 2½ on the y axis and count down 3 and to the right 4. That is actually HARD to get accurate!

Neither 3 nor 4 is a factor of the constant 10 ( 3x + 4y = 10) so the intercepts will also be fractions.

We need the x term to end up with ½ so that when we add that to the b (which is 5/2) we will get an integer.
So try letting x be 2 because that will cross cancel with the -3/4 slope

y = (-3/4)(2) + 5/2 =  -3/2 + 5/2 = 1
so we just found a coordinate that has just integers ( 2, 1)
Graph that point. Now count the slope from THAT POINT ( instead of the y intercept)

HORIZONTAL LINES
You can think of these lines in Slope- Intercept form as y = mx + b IF your REMEMBER that the slope of a horizontal line = 0 àthe equation is y = (0)x + b
We have already learned that the equation of any horizontal line is y = a constant
Except for the horizontal line y = 0 ( which is the x axis) horizontal lines have no x intercept and therefore no intercepts ( no roots, no solutions, no zeros)

Finding the equation of a line by looking at its graph is easy if you can read the y intercept!

Simply plug in the y intercept as  b and then count the rise over run as the slope!

Algebra ( Period 1)

Chapter 3-3 Rate of Change and Slope

We’ve already looked at the slope (m) of lines—today we will connect slope to the RATE of the CHANGE of the linear function (the line). the rate of change for a line is a CONSTANT… it is the same value EVERYWHERE on the line

This change, also know as the slope, is found by  finding the rise over the run between ANY 2 points.  rise/run

The rise is the change in y and the run is the change in x.

In a real world example, the rate of change is the UNIT RATE

If you are buying video games that are all the same price on BLACK FRIDAY, two data points might be

# of computer           Total
games                          cost

4                                  $156
6                                  $234

The slope or rate of change  is the  change in y/ the change in x

(234- 156)/ 6-4

78/2

or $39/ video game

Again, as long as the function is linear, or one straight line, it has a constant rate of change, or slope between ANY TWO POINTS

The constant rate of change, or slope, is the rise over the run—or the change in y over the change in x

or
y₂ – y₁/ x₂-x₁ 

Slope = rise/run ( rise over run)
=change in the y values/ change in the x values =
Difference of the y values/ Difference of the x values

Mrs Sobieraj uses “Be y’s first!” Be wise first!  meaning always start with the y vales on top (in the numerator)

TWO WAYS OF CALCULATING on a graph:

       1) Pick 2 points and use the following formula
Difference of the 2 y –values/ Difference of the 2 x-values
The formal is restated with SUBSCRIPTS on the x’s and y’s below: (memorize this) y₂ – y₁/ x₂-x₁  The subscripts just differentiate between point one and point two. You get to decide which point is point one or two. I usually try to keep the difference positive, if I can—but often, one of them will be negative and the other will be positive.

EXAMPLE:   ( 3, 6)  and (2, 4)    y₂ – y₁/ x₂-x₁       6-4/3-2 = 2/1 = 2

    2)Count the slope on the GRAPH using rise over run.
From the point (2,4) count the steps UP ( vertically) to (3,6): I get 2 steps
Now count how many steps over to the right (horizontally): 1 step
Rise = 2 and Run = 1 or 2/1 = 2

HORIZONTAL LINES  have only a y intercept (unless it’s the line y = 0 and then that is the x-axis) The equation of a horizontal line is y = b where b is a constant. Notice that there is NO X in the equation. For example y = 4 is a horizontal line parallel to the x-axis where the y value is always 4 What is the x value? All real numbers! Your points could be ( (3, 4) or ( 0, 4) or ( -10, 4)
Notice y is always 4! The constant rate of change  or slope is 0

If you take any 2 points on a horizontal line the y values will always be the same so the change ( or difference) in the numerator = 0.

EXAMPLE  y = 4

Pick any two points Let’s us ( 3,4) and (-10, 4)

(4 - 4)/ (3 - ^-10) becomes ( 4-4)/ 3 + 10 = 0/13 = 0

VERTICAL LINES ( which are NOT functions)  have only an x intercept ( unless it is the line x = 0 and then it is the y-axis) The equation of a vertical line is x = a, where a is a constant. Notice that there is NO Y in this equation.

EXAMPLE: x = 4

This is a vertical line parallel to the y axis 4 steps to the right of it. Pick any two points on this line Let’s use ( 4, -1) and (4, 7)

This time the change in y is -1  - 7 = -8

and the change in x is 4 -4 = 0

BUT -8/0 is UNDEFINED

Make sure you write undefined for the slope!

Finding a Missing Coordinate if you know 3 out of 4 values and the Slope

Say you know the following:
(1,4) and (-5, y) and the slope is given as 1/3

Find the missing y value

Use the slope formula

Change in y/ change in x

(y – 4)/- 5 – 1  and you know that the slope is 1/3

That means

(y – 4)/- 5 – 1   = 1/3

(y – 4)/-6 = 1/3

Solve

3(y -4)= -6

3y – 12 = -6

 y = 2

Or you could have divide both sides by 3 FIRST

y - 4 = -2

y = 2

Algebra Honors (Period 4 & 7)

Chapter 3-4 Direct Variation

We’ve learned that the unit rate is the constant rate of change in a linear relationship and that it’s the slope of a line when it’s graphed. We’ve also learned that if a graph of an equation goes through the origin (0,0)  it’s proportional  and the ratio of any y value to it’s x value is a constant (which turns out to be the unit rate or constant rate of change or slope of the line)

When the linear relationship is proportional, we say it’s a DIRECT VARIATION. Now the constant rate of change, the slope, the unit rate, is called the CONSTANT OF VARIATION or the CONSTANT OF PROPORTIONALITY

This is not a new concept. IT IS  just NEW VOCAB!

We also say: y varies directly (constantly) with x.

The slope is now replaced by the letter k instead of m

Finding the equation of a line that is proportional

Find k (the slope) by counting the rise/run of the graph

Write the equation using the format  y = kx

Notice: if you always pick the origin as the point to count rise/run from—the slope (k) is always just y/x

In a word problem, if it says one amount VARIES DIRECTLY with another, you know that the origin is one of the points!!

You also know that the equation is y = kx
YOU just need to find k
and k is y/x of any point OTHER THAN THE ORIGIN

A babysitting example

The amount of money earned  VARIES DIRECTLY with the time worked.

THINK: the graph and equation go through (0,0)

THINK: Any other point will give you the slope, or constant of proportionality, or unit rate ( all the same thing) SO you only need one additional point.

We are given that she earns $30 for 4 hours. Find the equation.

Rise/Run = y/x
BECAUSE THEY SAID IT VARIED DIRECTLY!!

k = 30/4
Simplify
k = 7.5
So the equation is y = 7.5x

What does the 7.5 represent?
The unit rate of $7.50/ hour of babysitting!

A bicycling example 
The distance the cyclist bikes in miles VARIES DIRECTLY with the time in hours that he bikes.

THINK: The graph and equation go through the origin (0,0).THINK: Any other point will give you the slope, or constant of proportionality, or unit rate (all the same thing) SO you only need one additional point.

He bikes 3 miles in ¼ hour. Find the equation.

Rise/run = y/x
BECAUSE THEY SAID IT VARIES DIRECTLY

k = 3/¼  or 3/.25 Now the hardest part is doing this 3/.25

If you kept it as 3/¼  you could read this as 3 divided by ¼
THINK: instead of dividing, multiply by the reciprocal of ¼

or 3 (4/1) = 12 (Wait, wasn’t that much easier than dividing 3 by .25!!
k = 12

The equation is y = 12x

What does the 12 represent?

The unit rate of 12 miles/ hour – that’s the cyclist’s speed 12mph

  Determining whether a Table of Values is Direct Variation If you are given a table of values, you can determine if the relationship is direct variation by dividing 3 y’s by their x values and making sure that you get the SAME value. If you do, it is proportional, goes through the origin (0,0) and the slope of y/x is the unit rate ( which is now called the constant of variation)!

Example

Given 3 points (5, 20) , (6, 24), and (7, 28):

Divide each y/x

20/5 = 4

24/6 = 4

28/7 = 4

Since all the ratios simplify to the same value (4), it is a direct variation. The slope of 4 is the unit rate, which is the constant rate of change and is now also called the constant of variation.

Finding Additional Values for the Direct Variation once you have the EquationOnce you have the equation y = kx, you can find infinite additional values (points) that will work.
For example, in the first babysitting example, the equation is y = $7.50x, which we write as y = 7.5x  If she babysits for 20 hours, how much did she earn?
x = 20

so y = 7.5(20) = 150 so She earns $150.
If she earns $750, how many hours did she need to work?

Now y = 750  so  750 = 7.5x
It is a one-step equation and we get
x = 100 or 100 hours!

 Finding the Equation if you know 1 point and then Finding Additional Values

y varies directly with x. Write an equation for the direct variation. Then find each value

If y = 8 when x = 3, find y when x = 45

FIRST you need to find k

y = kx… In this case we have 8 = k(3) or 8 = 3k

Solve this 1 step equation—leaving it in fraction form!

8/3= k

so

y = (8/3)x

Now, find y when x = 45

y = (8/3)(45)

solve

y = 120

Applying direct variation to the Distance Formula d = rt

A jet’s distance varies directly as the hours it flies

If it traveled 3420 miles in 6 hours, how long will it take to fly 6500 miles?

k = 3420/6 = 570mph ( its speed)

6500 = 570t

t ≈11.4

about 11.4 hours

Algebra Honors ( Period 4 & 7)

Chapter 3-3 Rate of Change and Slope

We’ve already looked at the slope (m) of lines—today we will connect slope to the RATE of the CHANGE of the linear function (the line). the rate of change for a line is a CONSTANT… it is the same value EVERYWHERE on the line

This change, also know as the slope, is found by  finding the rise over the run between ANY 2 points.  rise/run

The rise is the change in y and the run is the change in x.

In a real world example, the rate of change is the UNIT RATE

If you are buying video games that are all the same price on BLACK FRIDAY, two data points might be

# of computer           Total
games                          cost

4                                  $156
6                                  $234

The slope or rate of change  is the  change in y/ the change in x

(234- 156)/ 6-4

78/2

or $39/ video game

Again, as long as the function is linear, or one straight line, it has a constant rate of change, or slope between ANY TWO POINTS

The constant rate of change, or slope, is the rise over the run—or the change in y over the change in x

or
y₂ – y₁/ x₂-x₁

Slope = rise/run ( rise over run)
=change in the y values/ change in the x values =
Difference of the y values/ Difference of the x values

Mrs Sobieraj uses “Be y’s first!” Be wise first!  meaning always start with the y vales on top (in the numerator)

TWO WAYS OF CALCULATING on a graph:

       1) Pick 2 points and use the following formula
Difference of the 2 y –values/ Difference of the 2 x-values
The formal is restated with SUBSCRIPTS on the x’s and y’s below: (memorize this) y₂ – y₁/ x₂-x₁  The subscripts just differentiate between point one and point two. You get to decide which point is point one or two. I usually try to keep the difference positive, if I can—but often, one of them will be negative and the other will be positive.

EXAMPLE:   ( 3, 6)  and (2, 4)    y₂ – y₁/ x₂-x₁       6-4/3-2 = 2/1 = 2

    2)Count the slope on the GRAPH using rise over run.
From the point (2,4) count the steps UP ( vertically) to (3,6): I get 2 steps
Now count how many steps over to the right (horizontally): 1 step
Rise = 2 and Run = 1 or 2/1 = 2

HORIZONTAL LINES  have only a y intercept (unless it’s the line y = 0 and then that is the x-axis) The equation of a horizontal line is y = b where b is a constant. Notice that there is NO X in the equation. For example y = 4 is a horizontal line parallel to the x-axis where the y value is always 4 What is the x value? All real numbers! Your points could be ( (3, 4) or ( 0, 4) or ( -10, 4)
Notice y is always 4! The constant rate of change  or slope is 0

If you take any 2 points on a horizontal line the y values will always be the same so the change ( or difference) in the numerator = 0.

EXAMPLE  y = 4

Pick any two points Let’s us ( 3,4) and (-10, 4)

(4 - 4)/ (3 - ^-10) becomes ( 4-4)/ 3 + 10 = 0/13 = 0

VERTICAL LINES ( which are NOT functions)  have only an x intercept ( unless it is the line x = 0 and then it is the y-axis) The equation of a vertical line is x = a, where a is a constant. Notice that there is NO Y in this equation.

EXAMPLE: x = 4

This is a vertical line parallel to the y axis 4 steps to the right of it. Pick any two points on this line Let’s use ( 4, -1) and (4, 7)

This time the change in y is -1  - 7 = -8

and the change in x is 4 -4 = 0

BUT -8/0 is UNDEFINED

Make sure you write undefined for the slope!

Finding a Missing Coordinate if you know 3 out of 4 values and the Slope

Say you know the following:
(1,4) and (-5, y) and the slope is given as 1/3

Find the missing y value

Use the slope formula

Change in y/ change in x

(y – 4)/- 5 – 1  and you know that the slope is 1/3

That means

(y – 4)/- 5 – 1   = 1/3

(y – 4)/-6 = 1/3

Solve

3(y -4)= -6

3y – 12 = -6

 y = 2

Or you could have divide both sides by 3 FIRST

y - 4 = -2

y = 2

Algebra ( Period 1)

Chapter 3-2 Solving Linear Equations by Graphing

We need LOTS of graph paper. YOU must graph on graph paper—using a ruler or a straight edge! Make sure to label your x and y axes!  Put arrows on them!

Linear function: A line in the format:

f(x) = x or y = x

This is called the PARENT GRAPH

This parent graph has a FAMILY of GRAPHS related to it that has similar characteristics but is in someway different 
The Slope is Different
The y intercept is Different

The ROOT of the function or line is the X – intercept of the graph  It is called a ZERO on the graphing calculators. To find the root, find the value of x that makes the equation true when the y value is 0.

Linear functions ( equations) have at most 1  ROOT ( solution) because once the line intercepts the  x-axis it cannot curve around and intercept it again

Again, the FUNCTION is the ENTIRE GRAPH … and is in the form f(x) = x   or y = x

The linear EQUATION related to the function is only concerned with one value, the x- intercept.  The y value would be ZERO on the x-axis so you set the function = 0 and solve!

Here are the synonyms:
x-intercept= the solution = the root = the zero

 If you graph the function
f(x) = 2x – 8, you will see the x intercept is ( 4, 0)

Therefore, the solution, the root, the zero of the function is 4.

set f(x)  or y = 0
2x – 8 = 0
2x = 8
x = 4

You can solve a linear function 2 ways:

Graphically- Graph the function and read the x-intercept
Algebraically- Set y or f(x) equal to 0 and solve for x

Notice you are solving multi-step equation but now the value means that you found the root of the function. How often will you be able to read the exact answer from a graph? NOT OFTEN!

Therefore we usually solve for the root Algebraically!

Example:
Find the root or zero of y = 20- .75x

set y = 0

0 = 20 - .75x

x = 26 2/3

Algebra Honors ( Period 4 & 7)

Chapter 3-2 Solving Linear Equations by Graphing

We need LOTS of graph paper. YOU must graph on graph paper—using a ruler or a straight edge! Make sure to label your x and y axes!  Put arrows on them!

Linear function: A line in the format:

f(x) = x or y = x

This is called the PARENT GRAPH

This parent graph has a FAMILY of GRAPHS related to it that has similar characteristics but is in someway different 
The Slope is Different
The y intercept is Different

The ROOT of the function or line is the X – intercept of the graph  It is called a ZERO on the graphing calculators. To find the root, find the value of x that makes the equation true when the y value is 0.

Linear functions ( equations) have at most 1  ROOT ( solution) because once the line intercepts the  x-axis it cannot curve around and intercept it again

Again, the FUNCTION is the ENTIRE GRAPH … and is in the form f(x) = x   or y = x

The linear EQUATION related to the function is only concerned with one value, the x- intercept.  The y value would be ZERO on the x-axis so you set the function = 0 and solve!

Here are the synonyms:
x-intercept= the solution = the root = the zero

 If you graph the function
f(x) = 2x – 8, you will see the x intercept is ( 4, 0)

Therefore, the solution, the root, the zero of the function is 4.

set f(x)  or y = 0
2x – 8 = 0
2x = 8
x = 4

You can solve a linear function 2 ways:

Graphically- Graph the function and read the x-intercept
Algebraically- Set y or f(x) equal to 0 and solve for x

Notice you are solving multi-step equation but now the value means that you found the root of the function. How often will you be able to read the exact answer from a graph? NOT OFTEN!

Therefore we usually solve for the root Algebraically!

Example:
Find the root or zero of y = 20- .75x

set y = 0

0 = 20 - .75x

x = 26 2/3

Algebra (Period 1)

Chapter 3-1 Graphing Linear Equations

There are FOUR types of linear graphs and this chapter begins with an  OVERALL, BIG  picture

Positive Slope- slants up from left to right
Negative Slope- slants down from left to right
Horizontal line- stays flat from left to right ( constant function)
Vertical Line- stays straight up and down ( Not a function—why??)

Somethings to look for:
Domain
Range
End behavior
Intercepts
Extrema
Positive/Negative
Increasing/Decreasing
Symmetry

A Linear Equation is an equation that forms a line when it is graphed. Linear equations are often written in the form Ax + By = C
This is called standard form. In this equation C is called  a constant  Ax and By are variable terms.

A ≥ 0
A and B BOTH cannot be 0
A, B,and C are ALL integers with a GCF= 1

If you see a term such as xy attached to together it cannot be a linear equation. If the exponent on a variable is different than the understood 1,  it is not a linear equation

in 3x + 2y = 5

A = 3
B = 2
C = 5

In x = -7 ( Yes that is in Standard Form)

A = 1
B = 0
C = -7

Identify Linear Equations

Determine whether each equation is  a linear equation. Write the equation in Standard form
y = 4 – 3x   YES

To put this equation in standard form, we need to move the -3x term to the other side, using the  Addition Property of Equality and the Additive Inverse Property.  So that the x and y values are on the SAME side and the constant is always on the other side to the right of the equal sign.
3x + y = 4
A = 3
B = 1
C = 4

6x –xy = 4   NO

the term xy has two variables the equation cannot be written in AX + By = C . It is not a linear equation

(1/3)y = -1  Yes

It becomes y = -3

A= 0
B = 1
C = -3

A linear equation can be represented on a coordinate graph. The x- coordinate of the point at which the graph of the equation crosses the x-axis is called the x-intercept. The y- coordinate of the point at which the graph of the equation crosses the y-axis is called the y-intercept.

The graph of  linear equation has AT MOST one x- intercept and ONE y-intercept ( unless it is the equation x = 0, which is the y-axis or y = 0, which is the x-axis. In those two special cases every number is a y-intercept or an x-intercept, respectively)

Real World Example  Swimming Pool Page 157 in your textbook

A swimming pool is being drained at a rate of 720 gallons per hour. The table on Page 157 shows the function relating the volume of water in a pool and the time in hours that the pool has been draining.

Find the x- and y- intercepts on the graph of the function.

Looking at the table we see that the x intercept is 14 ( that is when y is 0)
and the y-intercept is 10,080 ( that is the value of y, when x = 0)

Describe what the intercepts mean in this situation: This should remind you of our unit at the beginning of the year!

The x intercept 14 means that after 14 hours the pool is completed drained because it has a volume of 0 gallons!

The y- intercept of 10,080 means that the pool contained 10,080 gallons of water at time 0 ( or before it started to drain)

Graph by Using Intercepts
Graph 2x + 4y = 16 using just the x-intercept and y-intercept

2x + 4(0) = 16   replace y with 0 (or as taught in class cover over the y value and solve)

2x = 16 so x = 8 ( when y = 0) ( 8,0)

This means the graph intersects the x-axis at (8,0)

Now

2(0) + 4y = 16  replace x with 0 ( or as taught in class- cover over the x value and solve)

4y = 16
y = 4  ( when x = 0)  ( 0, 4)

This means the graph intersect the x-axis at (0, 4)

Plot these two point and draw a line through them

Notice that this has both an x- intercept and  y-intercept

Some lines have only an x- intercept and NO y-intercept  or vice versa

y = b is a horizontal line that has only a y- intercept (unless b=0)

The graph of x = a is a vertical line that has only an x- intercept (unless a = 0)

Lines that are neither vertical or horizontal cannot have more than one x- and/or y-intercept.

Graphing Using an XY Table

Another way to graph is choosing random x values , plugging those into the equation to find the corresponding y values, and graphing those points you found.

Although 2 points determine a line, it is always best to find 3 points so that you are sure you did not make a mistake on either of the first two points.

If the coefficient of x is a fraction, select a value that is  multiple of the denominator so hopefully you won’t end up with fractions to graph!