9th grade · Math · Unit 4 of 17
Linear Relations
Slope, intercepts and graphs
What your child practices
Finding slope from points and graphs, reading y = mx + b, finding intercepts, deciding whether a point is on a line, spotting parallel lines, and using rates of change in stories.
Maine Learning Results learning standard: HSF.IF.B.6; HSF.IF.C.7; HSF.LE.A.2 · rate of change and key features of linear functions
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- A line has the equation y = mx + b.
- The slope m is rise ÷ run. The y-intercept b is where the line crosses the y-axis.
- Find the slope from two points on the line.
Example: A line goes through (0, 1) and (2, 5). What is its slope? Rise: 5 − 1 = 4. Run: 2 − 0 = 2. Slope: 4 ÷ 2 = 2. Answer: 2 (so y = 2x + 1)
Linear Relations in Maine
In the Maine Learning Results, this is unit 4 of 17 in 9th grade Math, after Multi-Step Equations and before Statistics in Society.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Source: Maine Department of Education
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
What is the slope of the line through (1, -2) and (2, 1)?
answer box
3
Hint: slope = rise ÷ run = (1 − (−2)) ÷ (2 − 1) = 3 ÷ 1 = 3.
Question 2
Find the slope of the line through (0, 3) and (2, 2).
- -2
- 1/2
- 2
- -1/2
-1/2
Hint: rise = −1, run = 2, so slope = -1/2.
Question 3
What is the y-intercept of y = 6x + 7?
answer box
7
Hint: In y = mx + b, the y-intercept is b. Here b = 7.
Question 4
Which equation has slope 2 and a y-intercept of 3?
- y = 3x + 2
- y = 2x + 3
- y = -2x + 3
- y = 2x − 3
y = 2x + 3
Hint: Use y = mx + b with m = 2 and b = 3: y = 2x + 3.
Question 5
Is the point (1, 5) on the line y = 5x?
- Yes
- No
Yes
Hint: Substitute x = 1: y = 5(1) + 0 = 5. This matches 5.
Question 6
What is the x-intercept of y = 4x − 8?
answer box
2
Hint: At the x-intercept, y = 0. Solve 4x − 8 = 0, so x = 2.