General Formula for Slope Intercept Equation" />The slope intercept form is probably the most frequently used way to express equation of a line. To be able to use slope intercept form, all that you need to be able to do is 1) find the slope of a line and 2) find the y-intercept of a line.
General Formula for Slope Intercept Equation" />
In general, the slope intercept form assumes the formula: y = mx + b .
Since a vertical line goes straight up and down, its slope is undefined. Also, the x value of every point on a vertical line is the same. Therefore, whatever the x value is, is also the value of 'b'.
For instance, the red line in the picture below is the graph of the x = 1 .
The equation of a horizontal line is y = b where b is the y-intercept.
Since the slope of a horizontal line is 0, the general formula for the standard form equation, y = mx + b becomes y = 0x + b y = b . Also,since the line is horizontal, every point on that line has the exact same y value. This y-value is therefore also the y-intercept. For instance, the red line in the picture below is the graph of the horizontal line y = 1 . (In depth lesson on the equation of a horizontal line)
