Slope Intercept Form

Pronunciation: /sloʊp ˈɪn.tərˌsɛpt fɔɹm/ Explain

The slope intercept form of a linear equation is y = mx + b where m is the slope of the line and b is the y-intercept.

Click on the blue points on the sliders and drag them to change the figure. What type of line can not be represented in slope intercept form? Hint: This type of line would require m to be infinite.

Manipulative 1 - Slope Intercept Form of a Linear Equation Created with GeoGebra.

How to Graph a Line in Slope-Intercept Form

One advantage of the slope intercept form is that it is easy to graph. First, plot the y-intercept. Since x is zero for the y-intercept, the point to plot is ( 0, b ). Next plot a point that is one unit to the left of the point and m units higher or lower.

Click on the blue points on the sliders to change the figure.

Manipulative 2 - Graphing a Line Using Slope Intercept Form Created with GeoGebra.

References

1. McAdams, David E.. All Math Words Dictionary, slope intercept form. 2nd Classroom edition 20150108-4799968. pg 167. Life is a Story Problem LLC. January 8, 2015. Buy the book

Cite this article as:

McAdams, David E. Slope Intercept Form. 5/7/2019. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem LLC. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/s/slopeinterceptform.html.

Image Credits

• All images and manipulatives are by David McAdams unless otherwise stated. All images by David McAdams are Copyright © Life is a Story Problem LLC and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Revision History

5/7/2019: Changed equations and expressions to new format. (McAdams, David E.)
12/21/2018: Reviewed and corrected IPA pronunication. (McAdams, David E.)
12/18/2018: Initial version. (McAdams, David E.)