Another common notation for a linear function is 

, of a linear function –how much the function increases or decreases – and the 

A type of function that can be written in the form 

, where m is the slope of the curve and b is the y-intercept. The graph of a linear function is always a straight line.

The ratio between the change in y coordinates and the change in x coordinates (rise over run). It describes the steepness of a line.

Tells you where the graph of a function intersects with the 

. By plotting these in a coordinate system you can visualize the relationship between the input, 

, of the function. This is what we mean by drawing a graph.

The horizontal axis in a coordinate system

The vertical axis in a coordinate system. Often called 

-axis meet. The origin has the coordinates 

Every point in the coordinate system has coordinates of the form 

. The first coordinate tells you where the point is along the 

-axis, and the second coordinate tells you where the point is placed along the 

Mathagon

Definition

Slope m and y-Intercept b

Draw the Graph

Finding the Slope, m

Finding the y-Intercept, b

Linear Functions

This video describes the slope, m, of a linear function – how much the function increases or decreases – and the y-intercept, b – where it crosses the y-axis. 

What Are the Slope m and the y-Intercept b in a Linear Function?