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Slope Intercept Form

A linear equation can be written in many different forms. One of the most commonly used forms of writing linear equations is the slope intercept form (y=mx + b). The graph of an equation in this form represents a straight line. Looking at the form y=mx+b you can automatically find the slope and the y-intercept, m represents the slope of the line, b represents the y-intercept. If you are given an equation in this form and you are asked to graph it, all what you need to do is find the slope and the y-intercept and graph it (we will talk about graphing in a later lesson).

Not all equations will be given to you in this form. You can easily transform any equation to this form by getting the y by itself on one side and everything else on the other side.


 

Here's an example: Write 2x+4y=12 in Slope intercept form, and then find the slope and y-intercept.We can clearly see that the given equation is not in slope intercept form. To get it in slope intercept form we must get the y-term by itself.

Step1: Move the 2x over to the right side by subtracting 2x from both sides.
                                  4y= -2x +12


Step2: Move the 4 in front of the y to the other side by dividing each term in the equation by 4
                                  y= -1/2x + 6


Step3: You can now look at the equation and tell that the slope is -1/2 and the y-intercept is 6                         


Lets Watch Another Example

Still confused??? Learn more & take a quick quiz at http://www.mathwarehouse.com/algebra/linear_equation/slope-intercept-form.php