For a line described by a linear equation, the slope (m) is the change in y (the increase or decrease in the y-value) over the change in x (the increase or decrease in an horizontal distance on the x-axis). The y-intercept (b), also known as the vertical intercept, is the point at which the line crosses the y-axis (the x value is 0). The slope and y-intercept of a line can be determined using the equation:
y = mx + b
where:
m = slope
b = y-intercept