Unit 3 – Linear Functions – Study Guide

Translating the Parent Function

Parent function: 𝑦 = 𝑥
 the number after the x
Different Forms of a Line
(the y-intercept) Slope-Intercept: 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
moves the function m = slope and b = y-intercept
UP or DOWN Standard: 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐
 the number before a, b and c are constants
the x (the slope) makes the line Point-Slope: 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
STEEPER (bigger than 1) or LESS (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) is a point and m = slope
STEEP (less than 1)
 If the number before the x is
NEGATIVE, the line will DECREASE
Intercepts
EX: 𝑦 = −2𝑥 + 1 will move the parent  x-intercept: the point where the line
function 1 unit up, make it steeper, and will crosses the x-axis (when y = 0)
be decreasing  y-intercept: the point where the line
crosses the y-axis (when x = 0)
EX: 2x + 3y = 6
Steps to Graphing Lines The x-intercept is: The y-intercept is:
1. Write in slope-intercept form
2𝑥 + 3(0) = 6 2(0) + 3𝑦 = 6
2. identify the slope and y-intercept
2𝑥 = 6 3𝑦 = 6
3. plot the y-intercept on the y-axis 𝑥 = 3 𝑦=2
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒
4. use the formula slope = 𝑟𝑢𝑛 to
generate more points
Slope/Average Rate of Change
(+ up or right, - down or left)
To find the average rate of change you need TWO
When graphing, make sure: POINTS
 To plot at least 3 points The steepness of a line
 To connect your line with a straightedge 𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒
 To draw arrows on both ends of your 𝑚= OR 𝑚=
𝑥 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑟𝑢𝑛
line ∆𝑦 𝑦2 −𝑦1
 That your line covers the entire graph
OR 𝑚 = OR 𝑚=
∆𝑥 𝑥2 −𝑥1
 To label y y y y

x x x x

Finding the Equation of

Positive Negative Undefined Zero
a Line 1 1
Find two points EX: Find the slope of the line 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 𝑥 − 7. 𝑚=2
Find their slope (m) When in doubt, make a TABLE
Find the y-intercept (b)
Write the equation in EX: Find the slope of a line that passes through the
slope-intercept form points 𝑓(−2) = 5 and 𝑓(4) = −1.
2
EXAMPLE ABOVE: 𝑦 = − 3 𝑥 + 2
 Is it a solution?
A point is a solution to a linear function if:
Arithmetic Sequences
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
 It lies on the graph  d is the common difference
 When it is substituted into the equation,  𝑎1 is the first term in the sequence
it makes a TRUE statement  𝑎𝑛 is the 𝒏𝒕𝒉 term in the sequence
 If it appears in the table of values  𝑛 is a positive integer
EX: The point (1, 3) is a solution to: EXAMPLE: The third term in an arithmetic
x y sequence is 7 and the sixth term is 19.
-2 12
What is an equation that can be used to
0 6
find the nth term?
AND 2 0
MAKE A TABLE!!!
4 -6
Term 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
AND
Value -5 -1 3 7 11 15 19
y = -2x + 5 …because
- common difference/slope is 4
3 = -2(1) + 5
3 = -2 + 5 - first term is -1
3 = 3 TRUE!!!  - y-intercept is -5
Using the formula on the reference sheet:
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
𝑎𝑛 = −1 + (𝑛 − 1)4

Using slope-intercept form:

Graphing Linear Inequalities 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
1. Graph points like you would a line in
𝑎𝑛 = 4𝑛 − 5
y = mx + b form
2. Determine if the line is
solid (≥ 𝑜𝑟 ≤ ) or Writing a Line in Slope-Intercept Form
dashed (> 𝑜𝑟 < ) Is just like solving an equation only simpler
3. Shade above the line
EX: 𝑦 < −2𝑥 + 3 1. Distribute
> 𝑜𝑟 ≥
4. Shade below the line < means dashed 2. Sort (move y terms to one side)
< 𝑜𝑟 ≤ and shade below 3. Make sure it is in 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 form
EX:
4(x – 1) + 2y = 10 distribute
Interpreting Solutions to 4x – 4 + 2y = 10 sort
Inequalities 2y = -4x + 4 + 10 combine like terms
 a point IS a solution if: it is in the shaded area
2y = -4x + 14 divide by 2 to get y alone
or if it is on a SOLID line
y = -2x + 7
 a point IS NOT a solution if: it is NOT in the
shaded area or if it is on a DASHED line

Solving for “y”

Translating Words into Algebra EX: Write 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 20 in slope-intercept form.
 four less than twice x is y  𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 4 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 20
 y is equivalent to the sum of half of x and three sort
1
 𝑦= 𝑥+3 4𝑦 = −3𝑥 + 20
2
 the difference of x and y is 7  𝑥 − 𝑦 = 7 divide all terms by 4
 y is triple the sum of x and 2  𝑦 = 3(𝑥 + 2) 3
𝑦 =− 𝑥+5
4