I thought the equation was y=mx+ b! Plus B!!!!! bu...

Question

I thought the equation was y=mx+ b! Plus B!!!!! but my homework says y=-7/5x - 3???????!!!! 

Answer 1

The + in the equation y = mx+ b is there because it is a very general expression for the equation. The value of b can actually be plus or minus.

 

b represents the y-intercept of the line which can be plus or minus.

 

If the value of b is plus, then the equation reads y = mx + b

 

But if the value of b is minus the equation becomes y = mx + (-b)

which is the same as y = mx - b.

 

I hope this clears it up for you. 

 

 

Answer 2

But, you can rewrite the equation as y = (7/5)x + (-3), which has the form y = mx+b where m = 7/5 and b = -3.