Key Concepts of Graphing Linear Functions

Why This Matters

Linear functions are the foundation of everything you'll encounter in algebra—and they show up constantly on exams. When you graph a line, you're not just plotting points; you're visualizing a rate of change and understanding how two variables relate to each other. These same skills apply to systems of equations, inequalities, and even quadratic functions later in the course.

Here's what you're really being tested on: Can you move fluently between different representations of the same line? Can you look at an equation and immediately know what the graph looks like? Don't just memorize formulas—know why each form exists and when to use it. That's what separates students who struggle from students who ace the exam.

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Forms of Linear Equations

Every linear equation can be written in multiple forms, each designed to highlight different information. The form you choose depends on what you know and what you need to find.

Slope-Intercept Form

• $y = mx + b$—the most graph-friendly form, where $m$ is the slope and $b$ is the y-intercept
• Start at $b$ on the y-axis, then use the slope to find additional points by moving rise over run
• Best for graphing quickly and identifying how the line behaves at a glance

Point-Slope Form

• $y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)$—built around a known point $(x_1, y_1)$ and the slope $m$
• Use this when you're given a point and slope but don't know the y-intercept yet
• Converts easily to slope-intercept form by distributing and solving for $y$

Standard Form

• $Ax + By = C$—where $A$, $B$, and $C$ are integers and $A$ is non-negative
• Finding intercepts is fast: set $x = 0$ to find the y-intercept, set $y = 0$ to find the x-intercept
• Can represent vertical lines (which slope-intercept form cannot), making it the most versatile form

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Understanding Slope

Slope measures the rate of change—how much $y$ changes for every unit change in $x$. This single number tells you everything about the line's steepness and direction.

Slope Calculation

• $m = \frac{\text{rise}}{\text{run}} = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$—the change in $y$ divided by the change in $x$
• Positive slope means upward trend (left to right); negative slope means downward trend
• Slope is constant everywhere on a linear function—that's what makes it linear

Rise Over Run Concept

• "Rise" is vertical movement, "run" is horizontal movement—always measured from left to right
• A slope of $\frac{3}{4}$ means the line rises 3 units for every 4 units it moves right
• Negative slopes "fall" instead of rise, so $m = -2$ means down 2 units for every 1 unit right

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Intercepts and Key Points

Intercepts are where the line crosses the axes—these are often the easiest points to find and plot. They also carry meaning in real-world problems.

X and Y Intercepts

• Y-intercept: set $x = 0$ and solve; this is the starting value in many real-world contexts
• X-intercept: set $y = 0$ and solve; this often represents a break-even point or zero condition
• Two intercepts are enough to graph any non-vertical, non-horizontal line accurately

Vertical and Horizontal Lines

• Vertical lines: $x = a$—undefined slope, every point has the same x-coordinate
• Horizontal lines: $y = b$—slope of zero, every point has the same y-coordinate
• These are special cases that don't fit slope-intercept form; recognize them instantly on exams

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Line Relationships

Understanding how lines relate to each other is essential for systems of equations and geometric applications.

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

• Parallel lines have equal slopes ($m_1 = m_2$) but different y-intercepts—they never intersect
• Perpendicular lines have negative reciprocal slopes ($m_1 \cdot m_2 = -1$), forming 90° angles
• Systems with parallel lines have no solution; this concept connects graphing to algebraic problem-solving

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Graphing Strategies

Different situations call for different approaches. Choose your method based on what information the problem gives you.

Graphing Using a Table of Values

• Choose x-values (often including negatives, zero, and positives), then calculate corresponding y-values
• Plot at least three points to ensure accuracy and catch arithmetic errors
• Best for understanding behavior across a range, especially when learning or checking work

Interpreting Graphs in Real-World Contexts

• Slope represents rate: speed (distance/time), price per item, growth per year
• Y-intercept represents initial value: starting balance, fixed cost, initial population
• X-intercept represents zero condition: when does the account run out? When does supply meet demand?

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Quick Reference Table

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Self-Check Questions

1. What do slope-intercept form and point-slope form have in common, and when would you choose one over the other?

2. A line passes through $(2, 5)$ and $(6, 13)$. Without graphing, determine whether the line rises or falls from left to right, and explain how you know.

3. Compare the graphs of $y = 3x + 1$ and $y = 3x - 4$. What do they share? How do they differ? What does this tell you about their relationship?

4. If an exam gives you the equation $4x + 2y = 8$, what's the fastest way to graph it—and why would converting to slope-intercept form be unnecessary?

5. In the equation $C = 15h + 50$ representing the cost of hiring a plumber, identify what the slope and y-intercept represent in context. What would the x-intercept mean, and does it make sense here?