Copy of Linear Equations: y = mx + b
The red line shown on the graph has the equation y = mx + b
The green slider line represents values for m.
The blue slider line represents values for b.
What happens to the line when you move the sliders (change the values of m and b)?
Exploring the y-intercept:
1. Click on the dot on the blue slider line and move it to the right. This changes the value of 'b' in the equation above.
What happens to the red line? _______________
2. Now move the dot to the left.
How does this compare to the previous action? _______________
Exploring the slope:
1. Click on the dot on the green slider line and move it to the right. This changes the value of 'm' in the equation above.
What happens to the red line? _______________
2. Now move the dot to the left.
How does this compare to the previous action? _______________
Value of m
Click on the top slider and drag to the right to change the value of m. What happens to the line when you change the value of m?
Value of m Part 2
Now drag the top slider to the left to change the value so m becomes negative. What happens to the line?
Value of b
Click on the bottom slider and drag to the right to change the value of b. What happens to the line when you change the value of b?
Value of b Part 2
Now drag the top slider to the left to change the value so b becomes negative. What happens to the line?
What did you learn?
1.) What does m tell us when we look at an equation written in the form of y=mx+b? 2.) What does b tell us when we look at an equation written in the form of y=mx+b?