Using the function y = 3x – 2, determine the slope and y-intercept.

Question

in using the functions given I have to figure out the determined slope and the y-intercept

Answer 1

Betty,

By using the slope-intercept format of a line (y=mx+b) you can identify the slope (m) and y-intercept (b). In the case of y=3x-2, it is already in the slope-intercept format, therefore we just have to identify which is the slope and which the y-intercept. Once we have it in this format, slope is ALWAYS attached to the x-variable. So in this case, 3 is our slope or our rate of change. The y-intercept is the stand alone constant number that is NOT attached to the x-variable, so in this case, the y-intercept would be -2. 

 

Hope it helps!

-Nick

Answer 2

The general equation of a line is:

 

y = mx + b

 

Where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.  Your equation is:

 

y = 3x - 2 = 3x + (-2)

 

So m = 3 and b = -2.