Question

In order use the slope- intercept formula you must solve for what variable?

Answer 1

To use the slope-intercept formula, you must solve for the variable y, which is the dependent variable in a linear equation of the form y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to use the slope-intercept formula, you must solve for the variable y. The slope-intercept form of a linear equation is commonly written as y = mx + b, where m represents the slope and b represents the y-intercept. This form clearly shows how for every one-unit increase in the independent variable x, the dependent variable y will change by the slope m. Similarly, the y-intercept b gives the value of y when x is zero, indicating where the line crosses the y-axis on a graph.

For example, in a scenario where the independent variable is the hours worked on a car and the dependent variable is the total labor charges to fix a car, the equation could look like y = 55x + 75. Here, the slope is 55, representing the rate at which labor costs increase per hour, and the y-intercept is 75, representing the flat fee charged regardless of the hours worked. If a job takes 3.5 hours to complete, the labor charge can be calculated as y = 55(3.5) + 75 = 267.50.

Answer 2

y



The slope intercept formula is one of many different expressions that define a line. The general formula for a line is

ax + by + c = 0



To change the expression to the slope intercept form, you solve for y like this:

ax + by + c = 0



Subtract ax from both sides

by + c = -ax



subtract c from both sides

by = -ax - c



divide both sides by b

y = -(a/b)x - c/b