LINEAR
FUNCTION.
VOCABULARY
I. Basic Definitions and Theorems
A. Intercepts
1. If a line intersects the x-axis at the point (a, 0), then the number a is called
the x-intercept.
2. If a line intersects the y-axis at the point (0, b), then the number b is called
the y-intercept.
B. Slope
1. The slope m of the line through the points(x1,y1) and (x2,y2)is given by the formula.
the formula
m=y2-y1/x2-x1 ,where x1 = x2
If , then we say that the line has no slope or an undefined slope. We 2 1 xx=
can also define the slope by the formula
m = xy ΔΔ = run rise where
Δ y the change in y and x Δis the change in x.
is a directed change (going up is +, going down is -) and y Δx Δis also a
directed change (going to the right is +, going to the left is -).
EXAMPLE
Example: Consider the line determined by the points (1−,1) and (4, 3).
(4,3)
+2 M = 1 - 2 -2 2
(-1,1) +5 - 1 - 4 -5 5
LINEAR
FUNCTION
2. If the line L1 has slope m1 and line L2 has slope , m2 then
(a) L1||L2 iff , and m1=m2 and
(b) L1 ⊥ L2 iff m1= -1/2 where m1≠0 and m2≠0.
II. Equations of a Line
A. Standard form: Ax + By = C where A and B are not both equal to
0.
B. Vertical line: x = k (the line has undefined slope)
C. Horizontal line: y = k (the line has slope 0)
D. Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b where m is the slope and b is
the y-intercept.
E. Point-slope form: y-y1=m(x-x1) where m is the slope and
the line passes through the point (x1,y1).
EXAMPLE
Example 1: Given a line with equation ,623=−yx
find the intercepts, the slope,
and sketch the graph.
Solution 1: To find the x-intercept, let y = 0
⇒63=x ⇒ x = 2 is the x-
intercept. To find the y-intercept, let x = 0
⇒62=−y is the ⇒3−=y
y-intercept.
Y
(2,0) M= 0 - ( - 3) = 3
2 - 0 2
(0,-3)
EXAMPLE
Solution 2: Take the equation 3x-2y=6 and
solve for y to get equation
in the slope-intercept form y=3/2x-3⇒ m=3/2
and b=y-intercpt
To get the x-intercept, let y = 0 ⇒ x = 2 is the x-
intercept.
graph as above using the intercepts.
EXAMPLE
Example 2: Find the equation of the line which
is determined
Solution 1: Use the point-slope form. First,
find the slope m=4-1 = - 3 in by the points (-
2,4)and (3,1) -2-3 5
Next, use either point; for example, use (3, 1).
Y-1=-3/5 (x-2) or
Y-1/y-3=-3/5 or 3x+5y=14 or y=-3/5x+14/5 are
all correct
EXAMPLE
Solution 2: Use the slope-intercept form.
First, find the slope m=-3/5 as
above. Next, use either point; for example
use (-2, 4). y=mx+b ⇒ y=-3/5x+b ⇒ 4=-3/2(-
2)+b ⇒ =14/5 y=-3/5x+14/5 is the equation
LINEAR
FUNCTION
Example 3: Find an equation of the line
through (3, 4) and parallel to the line 5X+3Y=-3.
5X+3Y=-8 ⇒ Y=-5/3X-8/3 ⇒ m-5/3 ⇒ a line
parallel to this line
must have the same slope ⇒ y-4 =-5/3 (x-3) is
an equation of this line
R
III. Linear Functions
FUNCT
IONS
A. A function f is a linear function if f (x)=mx+b where m and b are real
numbers and m ≠ 0
B. Application of linear functions Example: Suppose that the height
and weight of college females are linearly
related. A college female who is 60” tall weighs 100 lb and another
college
female who is 65” tall weighs 112 lb. Find an equation which relates
the
height and weight.
Consider the two “points” (60”, 100 lb) and (65”, 112 lb), and find the
equation of the line determined by these points.
M=112lb-10lb/65”-60” =12lb/5”
and use the “point” (60”, 100 lb) ⇒ w-100=12/5
(H-60) or 12H -5W=200 or H=5/12w + 55/3 or w
=12/5H-44