The General
Equation of A
Straight Line
Tr Keena
Learning Objective:
• find the equation of a line in the general form 𝑦=𝑚𝑥 + c given:
• a point on the line and the slope of the line,
• two points on the line,
Introduction: General Equation of Straight Line
• The equation of a line is the algebraic representation of a line using
cartesian coordinates.
• The general form of the equation of a straight line is written as:
y = mx + c
y-intercept
(x, y)
coordinates gradient
• The coordinate (x, y) lies on the line y = mx + c giving us a linear
relationship between x and y.
• The term linear equation is given to any straight line.
Example 1:
Calculate the gradient and y-intercept from equation of
straight lines
(a) y = 2x + 3 Gradient = 2
y-intercept = 3
(b) y = x − 3 Gradient = 1
y-intercept = −3
(c) y = −2x + 4 Gradient = −2
y-intercept = 4
Quick Exercise:
Calculate the gradient and y-intercept from equation of
straight lines
(a) y = 3x + Gradient = 3 (d) y + 4x = Gradient = − 4
1 y-intercept = 1 1 y-intercept = 1
(b) y = x + 2 Gradient = (e) 2y = 4x + Gradient = 2
y-intercept = 2 2 y-intercept = 1
(c) y = 2x Gradient = 2 (f) y + 2x − 1 Gradient = − 2
y-intercept = 0 =0 y-intercept = 1
Example 2:
Find the gradient and y-intercept from the straight line
graph
Line A:
Gradient = −4
y-intercept = 3
Line B:
Gradient = 1
y-intercept = 2
Quick Exercise:
Find the gradient and y-intercept from the straight line
graphs
Line C:
Gradient =
y-intercept = −2
Line D:
Gradient = −2
y-intercept = 4
Determine the Equation of A Straight Line
• Work out the equation of the straight line given in the diagram below:
i. Find the gradient:
Two points that lie on the line are: (0, 1) and
(1,2)
y1 − y 2 1− 2
m= = =1
x1 − x 2 0 −1
ii. Find the y-intercept:
y-intercept = 1
So, the equation of the line: y = mx +
c
y=x+1
Determine the Equation of A Straight Line
• Work out the equation of the straight line given in the diagram below:
i. Find the gradient:
Two points that lie on the line are: (2, 1) and
(4, 2)
y1 − y 2 1− 2 =
m= =
x1 − x 2 2− 4
ii. Find the y-intercept:
y-intercept = 0
So, the equation of the line: y = mx +
c
y=x
Exercise 1 (Exercise 21.9 - textbook page
264)
For the following linear equations, calculate the gradient and y-intercept.
Exercise 2 Find the gradient and y-intercept in each graph, then write the equation
of the lines.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(e) (f) (g) (h)
