Exploring the Equation of a Line y = m x + b

Author:
Lew W. S.
Explore the graph of the straight line below. Use your mouse to drag the line or the points shown. 1) Drag only the red coloured point first, up and down the y axis. What do you notice? 2) Drag the line or point P, and what do you notice ? Notice the equation that represents the line changes? How are the changing values related to the line?

What do you think is m related to ? Describe or give the term which defines some property of the line.

What do you think is b related to ? Describe or give the term which defines some property of the line.