Linear Function y=mx+b Practice Problems & Solutions

Master linear functions with step-by-step practice problems. Learn slope-intercept form, graphing techniques, and point verification with detailed solutions.

📚Master Linear Functions with Interactive Practice
  • Identify slope and y-intercept from linear equations in y=mx+b form
  • Graph linear functions using slope-intercept method and table of values
  • Determine if given points lie on a linear function
  • Calculate slope using two points with the slope formula
  • Interpret positive, negative, and zero slopes in real-world contexts
  • Find y-intercept and understand its graphical meaning

Understanding Linear Function y=mx+b

Complete explanation with examples

The linear function y=mx+by=mx+b actually represents a graph of a straight line that has a point of intersection with the vertical Y Y axis.

m m represents the slope.
When m m is positive, the slope is positive: the line goes upwards.
When m m is negative, the slope is negative: the line goes downwards.
When m=0 m = 0 , the slope is zero: the line is parallel to the X X axis.

b b represents the point where the line intersects the Y Y axis.
If b=0 b=0 , then the line will pass through the origin of the coordinates, that is, the point (0,0) \left(0,0\right)

A - The Linear Function y=mx+b

Detailed explanation

Practice Linear Function y=mx+b

Test your knowledge with 13 quizzes

Below is a table containing values for x and y. This tables represents a linear function.

Choose the equation that corresponds to the function.

012x567y

Examples with solutions for Linear Function y=mx+b

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

For the function in front of you, the slope is?

XY

Step-by-Step Solution

For this problem, we need to determine the nature of the slope for a given straight line on a graph.

Based on the graph provided, the red line starts at a higher point on the left (Y-axis) and moves downward toward a lower point on the right (X-axis). This indicates that as one moves from left to right across the graph, the function decreases in value. Consequently, this is typical of a line that has a negative slope.

The slope of a line is typically defined as the "rise over the run," or the ratio of the change in the vertical direction to the change in the horizontal direction. Here, as we proceed from left to right, the line goes "downwards" (negative rise), establishing a negative slope.

Thus, we can conclude that the slope of the line is negative.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is Negative slope.

Answer:

Negative slope

Video Solution
Exercise #2

For the function in front of you, the slope is?

XY

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Observe the given graph and the plotted line.
  • Step 2: Determine the direction of the line as it moves from left to right across the graph.
  • Step 3: Understand that a line moving downwards from left to right represents a negative slope.

Now, let's work through these steps:

Step 1: The graph shows a straight line that starts higher on the left side and descends towards the right side.

Step 2: As the line moves from left to right, it descends. This is a key indicator of the slope type.

Step 3: A line that moves downward from the left side to the right side of the graph (decreasing in height as it proceeds to the right) is characteristic of a negative slope. Conversely, a positive slope would show a line ascending as it moves rightward.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is the line has a negative slope.

Answer:

Negative slope

Video Solution
Exercise #3

For the function in front of you, the slope is?

XY

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine the slope of the line, we'll examine the direction of the line segment on the graph:

  • The line depicted moves from the top left, passing through a point with higher y y -coordinate values, to the bottom right, ending at a point with lower y y -coordinate values.
  • This movement indicates that as x x increases (the direction to the right along the x x -axis), the y y -coordinate decreases.
  • When the y y -value reduces as the x x -value grows, the slope m m is negative.

Since the line descends from left to right, the slope of the line is negative.

Therefore, the slope of the function is a negative slope.

Answer:

Negative slope

Video Solution
Exercise #4

For the function in front of you, the slope is?

XY

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine the slope of the line segment shown in the graph, follow these steps:

  • Identify the line segment on the graph; it's shown as a red line from one point to another.
  • Examine the direction the line segment travels from the leftmost point to the rightmost point.
  • Visually analyze whether the line segment is rising or falling as it moves from left to right.

Here is the detailed analysis:
- The red line segment starts lower on the left side and ends higher on the right side.
- This suggests that as we move from left to right, the line is rising.
- In terms of slope, a line that rises as it moves from left to right has a positive slope.

Therefore, the slope of the line segment is positive.

Thus, the correct answer is Positive slope.

Answer:

Positive slope

Video Solution
Exercise #5

For the function in front of you, the slope is?

XY

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, let's evaluate the graph of the line provided:

  • The line is visually represented as starting from the bottom left to the top right, moving upwards.
  • In a standard Cartesian graph, a line that ascends as it progresses from left to right implies a positive change in the y-coordinate as the x-coordinate increases.
  • This upward trajectory indicates that the slope, m m , is positive.

Thus, the slope of the function is positive.

Therefore, the answer is Positive slope.

Answer:

Positive slope

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What does m and b represent in y=mx+b?

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In the linear function y=mx+b, m represents the slope of the line, while b represents the y-intercept (where the line crosses the y-axis). When m is positive, the line slopes upward; when negative, it slopes downward.

How do you graph a linear function y=mx+b?

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To graph y=mx+b: 1) Plot the y-intercept point (0,b) on the y-axis, 2) Use the slope m to find another point by moving right 1 unit and up/down m units, 3) Draw a straight line through both points.

How do you check if a point lies on a linear function?

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Substitute the x and y coordinates of the point into the equation y=mx+b. If the equation holds true (both sides are equal), then the point lies on the function.

What happens when the slope m equals zero in y=mx+b?

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When m=0, the equation becomes y=b, creating a horizontal line parallel to the x-axis. The line passes through all points with y-coordinate equal to b.

How do you find the slope between two points?

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Use the slope formula: m = (y₂-y₁)/(x₂-x₁). Subtract the y-coordinates and x-coordinates of the two points, then divide the difference in y by the difference in x.

What does it mean when b=0 in a linear function?

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When b=0, the linear function becomes y=mx, and the line passes through the origin (0,0). The y-intercept is at the origin of the coordinate system.

Why are linear functions called 'linear'?

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Linear functions are called 'linear' because their graphs form straight lines. The rate of change (slope) remains constant throughout the entire function, creating a line with no curves or bends.

What's the difference between positive and negative slopes?

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A positive slope means the line rises from left to right (increasing function), while a negative slope means the line falls from left to right (decreasing function). The steeper the slope, the more dramatic the rise or fall.

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