Graphing Linear Functions

October 2014

Graphing Lines from Equations

When given a linear equation, you can graph the line following these steps:

Rewrite the equation in slope-intercept form: y = mx + b
The "b" value is the y-intercept. Plot that point.
The "m" value is the slope. Starting at the y-intercept, counts the units up (rise) and the units across (run). Plot that point.
Connect the two points with a straight line.

Another method is to generate points by substituting values in for "x" and solving for "y". You only need two points to draw a line but it is a good idea to generate a third point just to make sure you did not make a calculation error.