Graphing Linear Equations: y = mx + c

y = mx + c y-intercept This refers to the point where the line cuts the y-axis. For x = 0 ; the equation becomes y = m(0) + c therefore y = c ; meaning where x = 0 , the line cuts the y-axis at the value of c,......... c = y-intercept Slope This refers to : 1) how steep the line is 2) the direction on the line the slope is defined by = set the y-intercept to 0, then y = mx + c becomes y = mx + 0 y = mx m = , defining the slope ........................m = slope Play with different values for m and c by using the slides marked "m" and "c" in the graph above , and note the effects on the y-intrecept and the slope.