Gradient and y-intercept (y = mx + c)

This week’s topics

Gradient and y-intercept (y = mx + c)

1. What the gradient means
2. Where the line crosses the y-axis

What you will be able to do

• 1.2 Interpret the gradient and intercept of a graph.

Activity

Find the gradient and intercept of six lines.

Study materials

Further resources

• Contemporary Mathematics, 5.5: Graphing Linear Equations · PDF · OpenStax Contemporary Mathematics (2023), 5.5: slope, y-intercept and y = mx + b, pp. 376–402 · for registered students
• Prealgebra 2e, 11.4: Understand Slope of a Line · PDF · OpenStax Prealgebra 2e (2020), 11.4: what the gradient (slope) means, pp. 919–945 · for registered students
• College Algebra 2e, 4.1: Linear Functions · PDF · OpenStax College Algebra 2e (2021), 4.1: gradient and intercepts of linear functions, pp. 315–350 · for registered students
• Slope: a network of connected components · Open-access article · Nagle & Moore-Russo (2013), Proceedings of PME-NA 35. Maps the different ways students understand gradient. · for registered students
• An analysis of students' mistakes on routine slope tasks · Open-access article · Cho & Nagle (2017), Proceedings of PME-NA 39. Common student mistakes on gradient and intercept tasks. · for registered students