What does y=mx+b mean?
Like what do all the symbols stand for and how do you place them and with what?
:confused:

In the standard equation for a line, y = mx + b, m designates the slope of the line, and b the y-intercept, that is b is the second coordinate of the point where the line crosses the y-axis.

For your exact equation you are asking about look at:

Math Forum: y = mx + b (Chameleon Graphing: Lines and Slope) (http://mathforum.org/cgraph/cslope/mxplusb.html)

That site shows the graph too.

is the equation for slope

If you've been given any two coordinates on a particular line, you can figure out the equation of the line by:

1. Find the gradient (m) using information from both sets of coordinates and using the following formula


m = (y2-y1/x2-x1)

2. Insert the numerical values of x and y from any one of the coordinates and you will be left with only one unknown, b. B is the value of y for which x = 0 (the y-intercept, as previously mentioned). You can solve for the value of b.

3. Write the equation and insert the value of m and b , but not those of x and y as they can vary along the line.



E.g. The two cordinates along a line are (2,2) and (4,6)

m = (y2-y1) / (x2-x1) = (6-2)/(4-2) = 4/2 = 2


M = 2

y = mx + b
6 = 2(4) + b
6 - 8 = b


B = -2


y = mx + b


y=2x - 2

Not to split hairs, but y=mx+b is slope intercept form, not the standard equation.

The standard equation of a line has the form Ax+By=C

M is the slope right?

let's say you have a linear equation that is 5x-2
with mx+b you know that m(5) is the slope and b(2) is the y intercept
now, solve 5x-2=0 or 2/5 is the x intercept
now you know all the main parts of a linear equation

OMG. Thank You! I have googled for hours now, and find that your example makes most sense!