Contributor: Jamie Hagler. Lesson ID: 13793
Whether vertically, horizontally, or some other direction, let's keep all our data in line!
We can track all that on a graph! Let's first start with plotting points.
To plot the point (3,2), we will count three to the right (in red) and two up (in green):
Here is another one. Let's graph the point (-2, 4). In this case, we will count two to the left (in red), and then 4 up (in green):
Let's graph a line!
First, we need to know that in the linear function y = mx + b, the m value represents the slope, and the b value represents the y-intercept.
We will start with the line y = 2/3x - 4.
The slope is 2/3, and the y-intercept is -4:
We start at the y-intercept (in this case, -4). Plot a point on the y-axis at -4. This is where the line for this function intercepts, or crosses, the y-axis:
Now, we count the slope from the y-intercept.
The slope, which is represented by m, measures the steepness of the line. The steepness is the rise over the run from a certain point to the next point.
In this function, the slope, or m value, is 2/3 which means from the y-intercept, the line will rise by 2 and run to the right by 3. Plot another point here, which is (3,-2):
Now draw a line through the two points!
Now, that you know how to graph a line, let's go to the Got It? section!
We help prepare learners for a future that cannot yet be defined. They must be ready for change, willing to learn and able to think critically. Elephango is designed to create lifelong learners who are ready for that rapidly changing future.