Exercise 35 Page 78

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 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= -3x - 4 ⇔ y= -3x+( -4) The slope is -3. The y-intercept is -4, so the graph crosses the y-axis at the point (0, -4).

Graphing the Equation

A slope of -3 means that for every 1 unit we move in the positive horizontal direction, we move 3 units in the negative vertical direction. m= -3/1 ⇔ rise/run=-3/1 To graph the equation, plot the y-intercept and then use the slope to find another point on the line.