In order to identify the slope and y-intercept of a line, the easiest way to do so is to change the equation to slope-intercept form (y = mx + b).
- The slope will be the coefficient of x. (the number in front of x)
- The y-intercept will be the constant. (the number that is not connected to any variable).
So, given this equation: 7x+3y=-8, we are going to isolate y so that we can change it to slope-intercept form.
Step 1: 7x+3y=-8
Step 2: Subtract 7x from both sides --> 3y = -8-7x
Step 3: Divide the entire equation by 3 --> y = -8/3-7/3 x
Remember, the slope is the coefficient of x, so we're looking at the number in front of x (including the negative sign!). So the slope is -7/3. The y-intercept is the number that's by itself, so that is -8/3.
Summary:
Slope is -7/3
Y-intercept is (0, -8/3)

David W.
Well, the "the easiest way" is to realize that, for the line Ax+By=C, the slope is (-A/B) and the y-intercept is (C/B). [Don't do the conversion to slope-intercept form EVERY TIME !!]01/03/23