Linear Equations

A linear equation is an algebraic equation with two variables (x & y) which refers to a line in the co-ordinate plane.

There are two common forms of linear equations:

1.  y = mx + c

- m and c are constants- m is equal to the slope of the line.

2. ax + by + c = 0

- a, b and c are constants

If we know the equation of a line, we can plot it on the co-ordinate plane.

This is done by subbing a value for x (usually 0) to find a corresponding y-value, and vice versa.

x represents the horizontal co-ordinate

y represents the vertical co-ordinate

E.g :y = 4x + 7     

Let x = 0

y = 7

=> (0, 7) is on the line

Then, let y = 0

0 = 4x + 7

4x = -7

x = -4/7

=> (-4/7, 0) is also on the line.

Now that we have two points on the line, we can plot it by drawing a straight line which passes through both.

New Page