Exercise 52 Page 313

Equations written in slope-intercept form follow a specific format. y= mx+ b In this form, m represents the slope of the line and b represents the y-intercept.

Identifying the Slope and y-intercept

Since the given equation is not in slope-intercept form, let's rewrite it so that it will be easier to identify the slope and y-intercept.

Below we highlight the slope m and y-intercept b. y= -2/3x - 1/3 ⇔ y= -2/3x+( -1/3) The slope is - 23. The y-intercept is - 13, so the graph crosses the y-axis at the point (0, - 13).

Graphing the Equation

A slope of - 23 means that for every 3 units we move in the positive horizontal direction, we move 2 units in the negative vertical direction. m= -2/3 ⇔ rise/run=- 2/3 To graph the equation, plot the y-intercept and then use the slope to find another point on the line.