Linear Equations, Function, and Graphs

Introduction
Linear equation is an equation for a straight line. The figure below is a graph of linear
equation 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 1.

Linear functions are those whose graph is a straight line. A linear function has the
following form 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥. A linear function has one independent variable and one
dependent variable. The independent variable is x and the dependent variable is y.

Two-Variable Linear Equations

The formula 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 is said to be the “general form” for the equation of a line,
where a, b and c are real numbers and the coefficients of x and y.

Example:
Find the solution of the Two-Variable Linear Equations using substitution method.
10𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 3
{
−𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 2
Solution:
Step 1: Select one equation and solve it for one of its variables.
−𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 2
−𝑥 = 2 − 5𝑦
(−1) ∙ −𝑥 = 2 − 5𝑦 ∙ (−1)
𝑥 = −2 + 5𝑦
Step 2: In the other equation, substitute for the variable just solved.
10𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 3
10(−2 + 5𝑦) + 4𝑦 = 3
−20 − 50𝑦 + 4𝑦 = 3
−50𝑦 + 4𝑦 = 3 + 20
−46𝑦 = 23
−46𝑦 23
=
−46 −46
1
𝑦=−
2
Step 3: Substitute the value found into any equation involving both variables and solve for the
other variable.
−𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 2
1
−𝑥 + 5 (− ) = 2
2
5
−𝑥 − =2
2
5
−𝑥 = 2 −
2
1
−𝑥 = −
2
1
(−1) ∙ −𝑥 = − ∙ (−1)
2
1
𝑥=
2
 1 1
The solution of the given example is (2 , − 2)

For more examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dswf0TiJOLM

Ordered Pair
A composition of x coordinates and y coordinates that have values written in a fixed
order within parentheses is called an Ordered Pair. It is also referred to a set a set of two
numbers used to locate a point in a coordinate plane.

Example

Which ordered pair is a solution of the equation?

4𝑥 − 1 = 3𝑦 + 5

A. Only (3, 2)
B. Only (2, 3)
C. Both (3, 2) and (2, 3)

Solution:
Substitute the values of x and y in the equation.
At point (3,2)

4(3) − 1 = 3(2) + 5
At point (2,3)

4(2) − 1 ≠ 3(3) + 5
∴ The answer is A.
Intercepts

The x-intercept is the point where a line crosses the x-axis, and the y-intercept is the point
where a line crosses the y-axis. The x-intercept is the point on the line when 𝑦 = 0 while the y-
intercept is the point when 𝑥 = 0.

Example 1
Find the x-intercept and y-intercept of the line
3
𝑦= 𝑥 − 15
4
Solution:
In solving x-intercept, let y = 0 and solve the equation.
3
𝑦= 𝑥 − 15
4
3
0= 𝑥 − 15
4
 3
1= 𝑥
4
4 3 4
( ) ∙ 15 = 𝑥 ∙ ( )
3 4 3
20 = 𝑥
𝑥 = 20

(20,0)
x-intercept: (20,0)
In solving y-intercept, let x = 0 and solve the equation.
3
𝑦= 𝑥 − 15
4
3
𝑦= (0) − 15
4
𝑦 = 0 − 15
𝑦 = −15

(0, −15)
y-intercept:(0, −15)

Example 2
Determine the intercept of the line
3𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 5
Solution:
x-intercept: 𝑦 = 0

3𝑥 + 2(0) = 5
3𝑥 = 5
5
𝑥=
3
 5
( , 0)
3

5
x-intercept: (3 , 0)

y-intercept: 𝑥 = 0
3(0) + 2𝑦 = 5
2𝑦 = 5
5
𝑦=
2
5
(0, )
2

5
y-intercept: (0, 2)

Slope

Slope is a measure of the steepness of a line. It also describes the direction of the line. A positive
slope indicates that the line is rising as x increases, while a negative slope means a decreasing line
as x increases.

In finding the slope, it is important to know the ratio of the vertical change to the “horizontal
change” between any two distinct points on a line. It is represented by the equation:
Δ𝑦 𝑦2 − 𝑦1
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 𝑚 = =
Δ𝑥 𝑥2 − 𝑥1

💡 The Delta (Δ) Symbol

In engineering and science, the Delta (Δ) symbol is used to denote change.
Example 1
Find the slope of the graph

Solution:
The line appears to go through the points (0,5) and (4,2)

Δ𝑦 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 2 − 5
𝑚= = =
Δ𝑥 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 4 − 0

3
𝑚=−
4
Example 2

We’re told that a certain linear equation passes through the two points stated below. And we're
asked to find the slope of the graph of that equation.
Point 1: (11.4, 11.5)
Point 2: (12.7, 15.4)

Solution:
Δ𝑦 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 15.4 − 11.5 3.9
𝑚= = = =
Δ𝑥 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 12.7 − 11.4 1.3

𝑚=3

Forms

Slope-Intercept Form Point-slope Form Standard

𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 ) 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶
𝑚 – slope 𝑚 – slope 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶 – are constants
𝑏 – y-intercept (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) – point on the line
Example:

A line passes through the points (-2, -4) and (-5, 5). Find the equation of the line written in all three
forms.

Solution:
1. Find the slope first.
Δ𝑦
𝑚=
Δ𝑥
5 − (−4)
𝑚=
−5 − (−2)
9
𝑚=
−3
𝑚 = −3

2. Substitute m and one of the points, say (-5, 5), to get point-slope form,
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚 (𝑥 − 𝑥1 )

𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
𝑦 − 5 = −3[𝑥 − (−5)]
𝑦 − 5 = −3(𝑥 + 5)

3. Solving for y, we get slope-intercept form

𝑦 − 5 = −3(𝑥 + 5)
𝑦 − 5 = −3𝑥 − 15
𝑦 = −3𝑥 − 10
 4. Applying the properties of equality we can get the standard form.

𝑦 = −3𝑥 − 10
𝑦 + 3𝑥 = −10

Interpreting Linear Functions and Equations

Example 1
Zane is a dangerous fellow who likes to go rock climbing inside an active volcano. He just
heard some rumbling, so he has decided to climb out as quickly as he can, Zane’s elevation relative
to the edge of the inside of the volcano (in meters. E as the function of time (in seconds). t shown
in the table below. Zane climbs at a constant rate.

Based on the table, which of these statements is true?

t E
0 -24
4 -21
12 -15
22 -7.5
28 -3
32 0

A. Zane was 24m below the edge of the volcano when he decided to leave, and he climbs 3
meters every 4 seconds on the way out.
B. Zane was 24m below the edge of the volcano when he decided to leave, and he climbs 4
meters every 3 seconds on the way out.
C. Zane was 32m below the edge of the volcano when he decided to leave, and he climbs 3
meters every 4 seconds on the way out.
D. Zane was 32m below the edge of the volcano when he decided to leave, and he climbs 4
meters every 3 seconds on the way out.
Solution:
Δ𝐸
𝑚=
Δ𝑡
−21 − (−24)
𝑚=
4−0
3
𝑚=
4

Example 2

Vincenzo is transferring files from his laptop to an external hard drive. The formula below is for
the size of files H which measured in megabytes as a function of time t which measured in seconds.
How many megabytes are transferred to the hard drive after 150 seconds?

𝐻(𝑡) = 8𝑡 + 65
A. Vincenzo transferred 1275 megabytes to the hard drive after 150 seconds.
B. Vincenzo transferred 1260 megabytes to the hard drive after 150 seconds.
C. Vincenzo transferred 1265 megabytes to the hard drive after 150 seconds.
D. Vincenzo transferred 1250 megabytes to the hard drive after 150 seconds.

Solution
𝐻(𝑡) = 8𝑡 + 65
𝐻(150) = 8(150) + 65
𝐻(150) = 1200 + 65
𝐻(150) = 1265 𝑚𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑏𝑦𝑡𝑒𝑠
Sources
Khan Academy, MathPlanet, Byjus, MathIsFun websites