What does #y = mx + b# mean?

2 Answers
Oct 7, 2014

This is a linear equation. A linear equation is the representation of straight line.

This particular equation is called slope intercept form.

The #m# in the formula is the slope.

The #b# in the formula is where the line intersects the #y#-axis is this called the #y#-intercept.

Nov 26, 2016

A linear equation in two variables, #x# & #y#. Graphically it represents, a straight line with slope #m# and #y# - intercept as #b#.

Explanation:

A linear equation (an equation with highest power on variable as 1 ), graphically represents a straight line on 2-D plane (graph).

The given equation is written in slope - intercept form.

In #y = mx + b# :

#m# = slope or gradient of the given line ie representing the value of #tan theta#, where #theta# is the angle made by line with #x# axis anticlockwise (Note : #m# gives value of #tan theta# and not #theta# ).

#b# = #y# - intercept ie the point where the given line cuts the #y# axis.