1. Home
  2. Precalculus
  3. Linear functions
  4. Graphs of linear functions

2.2 Graphs of linear functions  (Page 4/15)

<< Chapter < Page
  Precalculus     Page 4 / 15
Chapter >> Page >

Then we can calculate the slope by finding the rise and run. We can choose any two points, but let’s look at the point ( − 2 , 0 ) . To get from this point to the y- intercept, we must move up 4 units (rise) and to the right 2 units (run). So the slope must be

m = rise run = 4 2 = 2

Substituting the slope and y- intercept into the slope-intercept form of a line gives

y = 2 x + 4

Given a graph of linear function, find the equation to describe the function.

  1. Identify the y- intercept of an equation.
  2. Choose two points to determine the slope.
  3. Substitute the y- intercept and slope into the slope-intercept form of a line.

Matching linear functions to their graphs

Match each equation of the linear functions with one of the lines in [link] .

  1. f ( x ) = 2 x + 3
  2. g ( x ) = 2 x − 3
  3. h ( x ) = − 2 x + 3
  4. j ( x ) = 1 2 x + 3

Analyze the information for each function.

  1. This function has a slope of 2 and a y -intercept of 3. It must pass through the point (0, 3) and slant upward from left to right. We can use two points to find the slope, or we can compare it with the other functions listed. Function g has the same slope, but a different y- intercept. Lines I and III have the same slant because they have the same slope. Line III does not pass through ( 0 ,  3 ) so f must be represented by line I.
  2. This function also has a slope of 2, but a y -intercept of − 3. It must pass through the point ( 0 , − 3 ) and slant upward from left to right. It must be represented by line III.
  3. This function has a slope of –2 and a y- intercept of 3. This is the only function listed with a negative slope, so it must be represented by line IV because it slants downward from left to right.
  4. This function has a slope of 1 2 and a y- intercept of 3. It must pass through the point (0, 3) and slant upward from left to right. Lines I and II pass through ( 0 ,  3 ) , but the slope of j is less than the slope of f so the line for j must be flatter. This function is represented by Line II.

Now we can re-label the lines as in [link] .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Finding the x -intercept of a line

So far, we have been finding the y- intercepts of a function: the point at which the graph of the function crosses the y -axis. A function may also have an x -intercept, which is the x -coordinate of the point where the graph of the function crosses the x -axis. In other words, it is the input value when the output value is zero.

To find the x -intercept, set a function f ( x ) equal to zero and solve for the value of x . For example, consider the function shown.

f ( x ) = 3 x − 6

Set the function equal to 0 and solve for x .

0 = 3 x − 6 6 = 3 x 2 = x x = 2

The graph of the function crosses the x -axis at the point ( 2 ,  0 ) .

Do all linear functions have x -intercepts?

No. However, linear functions of the form y = c , where c is a nonzero real number are the only examples of linear functions with no x-intercept. For example, y = 5 is a horizontal line 5 units above the x-axis. This function has no x-intercepts, as shown in [link] .

Graph of y = 5.

x -intercept

The x -intercept of the function is value of x when f ( x ) = 0. It can be solved by the equation 0 = m x + b .

Finding an x -intercept

Find the x -intercept of f ( x ) = 1 2 x − 3.

Set the function equal to zero to solve for x .

0 = 1 2 x − 3 3 = 1 2 x 6 = x x = 6

The graph crosses the x -axis at the point ( 6 ,  0 ) .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

what does preconceived mean
sammie Reply
physiological Psychology
Nwosu Reply
How can I develope my cognitive domain
Amanyire Reply
why is communication effective
Dakolo Reply
Communication is effective because it allows individuals to share ideas, thoughts, and information with others.
effective communication can lead to improved outcomes in various settings, including personal relationships, business environments, and educational settings. By communicating effectively, individuals can negotiate effectively, solve problems collaboratively, and work towards common goals.
it starts up serve and return practice/assessments.it helps find voice talking therapy also assessments through relaxed conversation.
miss
Every time someone flushes a toilet in the apartment building, the person begins to jumb back automatically after hearing the flush, before the water temperature changes. Identify the types of learning, if it is classical conditioning identify the NS, UCS, CS and CR. If it is operant conditioning, identify the type of consequence positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement or punishment
Wekolamo Reply
please i need answer
Wekolamo
because it helps many people around the world to understand how to interact with other people and understand them well, for example at work (job).
Manix Reply
Agreed 👍 There are many parts of our brains and behaviors, we really need to get to know. Blessings for everyone and happy Sunday!
ARC
A child is a member of community not society elucidate ?
JESSY Reply
Isn't practices worldwide, be it psychology, be it science. isn't much just a false belief of control over something the mind cannot truly comprehend?
Simon Reply
compare and contrast skinner's perspective on personality development on freud
namakula Reply
Skinner skipped the whole unconscious phenomenon and rather emphasized on classical conditioning
war
explain how nature and nurture affect the development and later the productivity of an individual.
Amesalu Reply
nature is an hereditary factor while nurture is an environmental factor which constitute an individual personality. so if an individual's parent has a deviant behavior and was also brought up in an deviant environment, observation of the behavior and the inborn trait we make the individual deviant.
Samuel
I am taking this course because I am hoping that I could somehow learn more about my chosen field of interest and due to the fact that being a PsyD really ignites my passion as an individual the more I hope to learn about developing and literally explore the complexity of my critical thinking skills
Zyryn Reply
good👍
Jonathan
and having a good philosophy of the world is like a sandwich and a peanut butter 👍
Jonathan
generally amnesi how long yrs memory loss
Kelu Reply
interpersonal relationships
Abdulfatai Reply
What would be the best educational aid(s) for gifted kids/savants?
Heidi Reply
treat them normal, if they want help then give them. that will make everyone happy
Saurabh
What are the treatment for autism?
Magret Reply
hello. autism is a umbrella term. autistic kids have different disorder overlapping. for example. a kid may show symptoms of ADHD and also learning disabilities. before treatment please make sure the kid doesn't have physical disabilities like hearing..vision..speech problem. sometimes these
Jharna
continue.. sometimes due to these physical problems..the diagnosis may be misdiagnosed. treatment for autism. well it depends on the severity. since autistic kids have problems in communicating and adopting to the environment.. it's best to expose the child in situations where the child
Jharna
child interact with other kids under doc supervision. play therapy. speech therapy. Engaging in different activities that activate most parts of the brain.. like drawing..painting. matching color board game. string and beads game. the more you interact with the child the more effective
Jharna
results you'll get.. please consult a therapist to know what suits best on your child. and last as a parent. I know sometimes it's overwhelming to guide a special kid. but trust the process and be strong and patient as a parent.
Jharna
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
<< Chapter < Page Page > Chapter >>
Practice Key Terms 5

Read also:

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Precalculus. OpenStax CNX. Jan 19, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11667/1.6
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Precalculus' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask