The most common way students learn to graph lines is using y=mx + b or the slope intercept method. This is a great method because it’s straight forward and easy. However a linear equation must be in y=mx + b form to use the slope intercept method of graphing. Let’s look at a quick example. The line 3x -7 = 2y is not in y = mx + b format so we could not use the slope intercept method to graph this line unless we rewrite it into y=mx + b which we can do without too much trouble. Now let’s take a look at the line y=4x + 1 this line is in slope intercept y=mx + b form so we can easily graph it- how fun! So how exactly do we graph a line in slope intercept form? Well all we need to do is follow a few steps. Ok step 1 is to plot the y-intercept( this is the point the line crosses the y-axis) and this number is the “b” pat of y=mx + b. In our example y=4x + 1 the y-intercept would be 1. Now onto our next step and for this we will use the “m” part of y=mx + b. The “m” part is the slope of the line. What we do is use the slope(rise/run) to plot a second point. Specifically we count the rise and run from y-intercept to plot a second point (watch the lesson video to see how this is done). Lastly we connect the two points we plotted and presto we have a line! Graphing lines using the slope intercept method is a skill you must master so I really encourage you to relax and watch the lesson video below- good luck!
Did you like this video lesson? Watch me solve many more problems on graphing lines using the slope intercept method
