Graphing Overview
Graphing Families Overview
Linear Functions
The most familiar family of functions is linear. Linear functions include the constant functions and the functions that increase or decrease at a constant rate.
Linear functions have equations in the form: f(x) = mx + b, where m is the constant rate of change or slope and b is the starting value or y-intercept.
See the table and graph of two basic linear functions below.
Here are some situations that model linear functions:
Linear functions have equations in the form: f(x) = mx + b, where m is the constant rate of change or slope and b is the starting value or y-intercept.
See the table and graph of two basic linear functions below.
 |
 |
Here are some situations that model linear functions:
- An airplane flies at a constant altitude (height vs. time).
- A bathtub fills at a constant rate (volume vs. time).
- Weekly deposits of equal paychecks (amount vs. time).