In the general linear equation, y = bx + a, what is the value of b called?

Solution:

The linear equation y = bx + a is also termed as a slope-intercept form equation in which there are two parameters a and b. ‘a’ in the intercept while ‘b’ is the slope of the line which the equation represents.

The slope ‘b’ of the straight line which is represented by the equation y = bx + a is given by the following algebraic expression given below:

b = (y₂ - y₁)/(x₂ - x₁)

Where (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂) are points on the line represented by the equation. Once the slope of the line ‘b’ is determined the equation of the line can be determined by using either of the two expressions given below:

(y - y₁) = b(x - x₁)

Or

(y - y₂) = b(x - x₂)

The resultant equation will be in terms will be same from both the expressions and comprise variables x, y and parameters ‘a’ and ‘b’ i.e. y = bx + a.

In the general linear equation, y = bx + a, what is the value of b called?

Summary:

In the general linear equation, y = bx + a, the value of b is called the slope of the straight line represented by the equation.