Exercise 43 Page 79

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 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=-2x - 1 ⇔ y=-2x+( -1) The slope is -2. The y-intercept is - 1, so the graph crosses the y-axis at the point (0, - 1).

Graphing the Equation

A slope of -2 means that for every 1 unit we move in the positive horizontal direction, we move 2 units in the negative vertical direction. m=-2/1 ⇔ rise/run=-2/1 To graph the equation, plot the y-intercept and then use the slope to find another point on the line.