Algebra II Recipe: Quick Graphs of Linear Equations

1. Slope-Intercept form is y = mx + b
• "m" represents the slope.
• "b" represents the y-intercept.
2. Steps for graphing using y = mx + b
• Solve the equation for y.
• Determine the slope and y-intercept.
• Graph the y-intercept.
• Use the movements from slope (or rise/run) to graph more points from the y-intercept.
• Connect the points with a straight line and arrows on each end.
• Label the line with its equation.

1. x-intercept - the point where the line crosses the x-axis.
2. y-intercept - the point where the line crosses the y-axis.
3. Find the x-intercept.
• Substitute zero in place of y in the equation.
• Solve the equation for x.
• You get the ordered pair (x, 0).
4. Find the y-intercept.
• Substitute zero in place of x in the equation.
• Solve the equation for y.
• You get the ordered pair (0, y).
5. Graph the two intercepts or points.
• Connect the points with a straight line and arrows on each end.
• Label the line with its equation.