Holt Algebra 2 2-3 Graphing Linear Functions Slope

Holt Algebra 2

2-3 Graphing Linear Functions

Slope

Holt Algebra 2


Determine whether a function is linear.

Graph a linear function given a point and a slope.

Objectives

Holt Algebra 2


Meteorologists begin tracking a hurricane's distance from land when it is 350 miles off the coast of Florida and moving steadily inland.

The meteorologists are interested in the rate at which the hurricane is approaching land.

Holt Algebra 2


Time (h) 0 1 2 3 4

Distance from Land (mi) 350 325 300 275 250

+1

–25

+1

–25

+1

–25

+1

–25

This rate can be expressed as .

Notice that the rate of change is constant. The hurricane moves 25 miles closer each hour.

Holt Algebra 2


Functions with a constant rate of change are called linear functions. A linear function can be written in the form f(x) = mx + b, where x is the independent variable and m and b are constants. The graph of a linear function is a straight line made up of all points that satisfy y = f(x).

Holt Algebra 2


Determine whether the data set could represent a linear function.

Example 1A: Recognizing Linear Functions

x –2 0 2 4

f(x) 2 1 0 –1

+2

–1

+2

–1

+2

–1

The rate of change, , is constant .

So the data set is linear.

Holt Algebra 2



Example 1B: Recognizing Linear Functions

x 2 3 4 5

f(x) 2 4 8 16

+1

+2

+1

+4

+1

+8

The rate of change, , is not constant.

2 ≠ 4 ≠ 8. So the data set is not linear.

Holt Algebra 2



Check It Out! Example 1A

x 4 11 18 25

f(x) –6 –15 –24 –33

+7

–9

+7

–9

+7

–9

The rate of change, , is constant . So

the data set is linear.

Holt Algebra 2



Check It Out! Example 1B

x 10 8 6 4

f(x) 7 5 1 –7

–2

–2

–2

–4

–2

–8

The rate of change, , is not constant.

. So the data set is not linear.

Holt Algebra 2


The constant rate of change for a linear

function is its slope. The slope of a linear

function is the ratio , or .

The slope of a line is the same between

any two points on the line. You can graph

lines by using the slope and a point.

Holt Algebra 2


Example 2A: Graphing Lines Using Slope and a Point

Plot the point (–1, –3).

Graph the line with slope that passes through (–1, –3).

The slope indicates a rise of 5 and a run of 2. Move up 5 and right 2 to find another point.

Then draw a line through the points.

Holt Algebra 2


Example 2B: Graphing Lines Using Slope and a Point

Plot the point (0, 2).

Graph the line with slope that passes through (0, 2).

You can move down 3 units and right 4 units, or move up 3 units and left 4 units.

The negative slope can be

viewed as

Holt Algebra 2


Check It Out! Example 2

Plot the point (3, 1).

The slope indicates a rise of 4 and a run of 3. Move up 4 and right 3 to find another point.

Then draw a line through the points.

Graph the line with slope that passes through (3, 1).

Holt Algebra 2


Vertical and Horizontal Lines

Vertical Lines Horizontal Lines

The line x = a is a vertical line at a.

The line y = b is a horizontal line at b.

Holt Algebra 2


The slope of a vertical line is undefined.

The slope of a horizontal line is zero.

Holt Algebra 2


Example 5: Graphing Vertical and Horizontal Lines

Determine if each line is vertical or horizontal.

A. x = 2

B. y = –4

This is a vertical line located at the x-value 2. (Note that it is not a function.)

This is a horizontal line located at the y-value –4.

x = 2

y = –4

Holt Algebra 2


Check It Out! Example 5

Determine if each line is vertical or horizontal.

A. y = –5

B. x = 0.5

This is a horizontal line located at the y-value –5.

This is a vertical line located at the x-value 0.5.

x = 0.5

y = –5

Holt Algebra 2


Example 6: Application

A ski lift carries skiers from an altitude of 1800 feet to an altitude of 3000 feet over a horizontal distance of 2000 feet. Find the average slope of this part of the mountain. Graph the elevation against the distance.

Step 1 Find the slope.

The rise is 3000 – 1800, or 1200 ft.

The run is 2000 ft.

The slope is .

Step 2 Graph the line.The y-intercept is the original altitude, 1800 ft. Use (0, 1800) and (2000, 3000) as two points on the line. Select a scale for each axis that will fit the data, and graph the function.

Holt Algebra 2


Check It Out! Example 6A truck driver is at mile marker 624 on Interstate 10. After 3 hours, the driver reaches mile marker 432. Find his average speed. Graph his location on I-10 in terms of mile markers.Step 1 Find the average speed.

distance = rate time

The slope is 64 mi/h.

192 mi = rate 3 h

The y-intercept is the distance traveled at 0 hours, 0 ft. Use (0, 0) and (3, 192) as two points on the line. Select a scale for each axis that will fit the data, and graph the function.

Step 2 Graph the line.

Holt Algebra 2


Lesson Quiz: Part 1

1. Determine whether the data could represent a linear function.

yes

x-intercept: 8; y-intercept: –6; y = 0.75x – 6

x –1 2 5 8

f(x) –3 1 5 9

2. For 3x – 4y = 24, find the intercepts, write in slope-intercept form, and graph.

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Holt Algebra 2 2-3 Graphing Linear Functions Slope