See also General Function Explorer where you can graph up to
three functions of your choice simultaneously using sliders for
independent variables as above. Linear functions are those where
the independent variable x never has an exponent. So for example
they would not have a var such as 3x2 in them. The linear
function on this page is the general way we write the equation
of a straight line. It is of the form The m variable is the
slope of the line and controls its 'steepness'. A positive value
has the slope going up to the right. A negative slope goes down
to the right. The b variable is the y intercept - the point
where the line crosses the y axis. Adjust the sliders above to
vary the values of a and b, and note the effects they have on
the graph. y = mx + b || are the coordinates of any point on the
line ||is the slope of the line || is the y-intercept (where the
line crosses the y-axis) Sometimes the linear equation is
written y = ax+b, using a for the slope instead of m. If you
prefer it that way use Li