11-3 Using Slopes and Intercepts 11-3 Using Slopes and Intercepts
If you know any two points on a line,
or two solutions of a linear equation,
you can find the slope of the line
Writing Equations in without graphing. The slope of a line
Slope-Intercept form through the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)
is as follows:
y2 – y1
x2 – x1
Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra
In an equation written in slope-intercept
form, y = mx + b, m is the slope and b is Helpful Hint
the y-intercept. For an equation such as y = x – 6, write it as
y = x + (–6) to read the y-intercept, –6.
y = mx + b
Slope y-intercept
Additional Example 2A: Using Slope-Intercept Form Additional Example 2B: Using Slope-Intercept Form
to Find Slopes and y-intercepts to Find Slopes and y-intercepts
Write each equation in slope-intercept form,
and then find the slope and y-intercept. B. 5y = 3x
A. 2x + y = 3 5y = 3x
2x + y = 3 5y= 3 x Divide both sides by 5 to solve for y.
5 5
–2x –2x Subtract 2x from both sides.
3
y = x + 0 The equation is in slope-intercept form.
y = 3 – 2x 5
Rewrite to match slope-intercept form.
y = –2x + 3 The equation is in slope-intercept form. m =3 b=0
5
m = –2 b = 3 The slope of the line 5y = 3x is 3 , and the
The slope of the line 2x + y = 3 is –2, and 5
y-intercept is 0.
the y-intercept is 3.
1
Additional Example 2C: Using Slope-Intercept Form Try This: Example 2A
to Find Slopes and y-intercepts
Write each equation in slope-intercept form,
C. 4x + 3y = 9 and then find the slope and y-intercept.
4x + 3y = 9 A. 4x + y = 4
–4x –4x Subtract 4x from both sides.
–4x –4x Subtract 4x from both sides.
3y = 9 – 4x
Rewrite to match slope-intercept form. y = 4 – 4x
3y = –4x + 9 Rewrite to match slope-intercept form.
3y= –4x +9 y = –4x + 4 The equation is in slope-intercept form.
Divide both sides by 3.
3 3 3
4 m = –4 b = 4
y =-3 x + 3 The equation is in slope-intercept form.
The slope of the line 4x + y = 4 is –4, and
The slope of the line 4x+ 3y = 9 the y-intercept is 4.
m =- 4 b = 3 is – 4 , and the y-intercept is 3.
3 3
Try This: Example 2B
Try This: Example 2C
B. 7y = 2x
C. 5x + 4y = 8
7y = 2x 5x + 4y = 8
7y= 2 x Divide both sides by 7 to solve for y. –5x –5x Subtract 5x from both sides.
7 7
2 4y = 8 – 5x
y =7 x + 0 The equation is in slope-intercept form. Rewrite to match slope-intercept form.
5x + 4y = 8
2
m =7 b=0 4y= –5x +8 Divide both sides by 4.
4 4 4
2 5
The slope of the line 7y = 2x is 7 , and the y =-4 x + 2 The equation is in slope-intercept form.
y-intercept is 0. The slope of the line 5x + 4y = 8
m =- 5 b = 2 is – 5 , and the y-intercept is 2.
4 4
Additional Example 3: Entertainment Application
Additional Example 3 Continued
A video club charges $8 to join, and $1.25
for each DVD that is rented. The linear
equation y = 1.25x + 8 represents the The slope of the line is
amount of money y spent after renting x 1.25, and the y-intercept
DVDs. Graph the equation by first is 8. The line crosses the
identifying the slope and y-intercept. y-axis at the point (0, 8)
and moves up 1.25 units
The equation is in slope-intercept for every 1 unit it moves
y = 1.25x + 8 form. to the right.
m =1.25 b=8
2
Try This: Example 3 Try This: Example 3 Continued
A salesperson receives a weekly salary of y
$500 plus a commission of 5% for each The slope of the line is
sale. Total weekly pay is given by the 0.05, and the y-intercept 2000
equation S = 0.05c + 500. Graph the is 500. The line crosses
equation using the slope and y-intercept. the y-axis at the point
1500
(0, 500) and moves up 1000
0.05 units for every 1 unit
y = 0.05x + 500 The equation is in
500
it moves to the right.
slope-intercept form. x
m =0.05 b = 500 5000 10,000 15,000
Additional Example 4: Writing Slope-Intercept Form Additional Example 4 Continued
Write the equation of the line that passes through Solve for b.
(3, –4) and (–1, 4) in slope-intercept form.
4=2+b
Find the slope. –2 –2 Subtract 2 from both sides.
y2 – y1 4 – (–4) 8 2=b
x2 – x1 = –1 – 3 = –4 = –2 The slope is –2.
Write the equation of the line, using –2 for m and
Choose either point and substitute it along with the 2 for b.
slope into the slope-intercept form.
y = –2x + 2
y = mx + b
4 = –2(–1) + b Substitute –1 for x, 4 for y, and –2
for m.
4=2+b Simplify.
Try This: Example 4 Try This: Example 4 Continued
Write the equation of the line that passes through Solve for b.
(1, 2) and (2, 6) in slope-intercept form.
2=4+b
Find the slope. –4 –4 Subtract 4 from both sides.
y2 – y1 6–2 4 –2 = b
x2 – x1 = 2 – 1 = 1 = 4 The slope is 4.
Write the equation of the line, using 4 for m and
Choose either point and substitute it along with the –2 for b.
slope into the slope-intercept form.
y = 4x – 2
y = mx + b
2 = 4(1) + b Substitute 1 for x, 2 for y, and
4 for m.
2=4+b Simplify.
