306,296 views
23 votes
23 votes
What are m and b in the linear equation, using the common meanings of m and b?

2 + 3x + 5 - 2x =

User BrainCrash
by
2.4k points

1 Answer

10 votes
10 votes

Explanation:

the usual line equation is

y = mx + b

I personally rather write it

y = ax + b

but really, all letters are possible as needed (particularly, if certain letters are already used for other parts of the problem definition).

what is important is to understand the messaging of the parts of such equations independently of what letter is used for what.

the factor of x (usually m in these equations) is the slope of the line, its incline. it is expressed as the ratio "y coordinate change / x coordinate change" when going from one point on the line to another.

the constant term (often called b in these equations) is the y-intercept (the y value when x = 0, indicating where the line is intercepting the y-axis).

I guess the equation in your problem actually looks like

2 + 3x + 5 - 2x = y

so, let's combine similar terms

3x - 2x + 2 + 5 = y

x + 7 = y

and now compare this to the general line equation, and we find

m = 1

b = 7

User Shivaji Varma
by
2.3k points