Precalculus Review

Linear Functions

A line may be determined by a slope

and a -intercept

. If so, the equation of the line can be written by

$\displaystyle y = m x + b.$

General form of a line. A line is “always” expressed in the form of a linear equation

$\displaystyle a x + b y = c$

$\includegraphics{lec01b.ps}$

Linear functions. A function is called a linear function if

$\displaystyle f(x) = a x + b$

with slope

and intercept

. A linear function

represents a line, but not always otherwise.