For the linear equation y = a + bx, b = slope and a = y-intercept.
From algebra recall that the slope is a number that describes the steepness of a line and the y-intercept is the y coordinate of the point (0,a) where the line crosses the y-axis.
Example 6.4
Svetlana tutors to make extra money for college. For each tutoring session, she charges a one time fee of $25 plus $15 per hour of tutoring. A linear equation that expresses the total amount
of money Svetlana earns for each session she tutors is y = 25+ 15x.
See the following Problem.
Problem
What are the independent and dependent variables? What is the y-intercept and what is the slope? Interpret them using complete sentences.
Solution
The independent variable (x) is the number of hours Svetlana tutors each session. The dependent variable (y) is the amount, in dollars, Svetlana earns for each session.
The y-intercept is 25 (a = 25). At the start of the tutoring session, Svetlana charges a one-time fee of $25 (this is when x = 0). The slope is 15 (b = 15). For each session, Svetlana earns
$15 for each hour she tutors.
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