Linear functions are essential for predicting future trends. Whether you're calculating a taxi fare (base fare + cost per mile) or estimating battery drain over time, linear functions are the tool you need.
A linear function is written as y = ax + b. 'a' is the slope (how fast y changes when x increases by 1), and 'b' is the y-intercept (the starting value of y when x is 0).
Don't confuse the slope 'a' with the intercept 'b'. The slope is always multiplied by x, while the intercept is the standalone number.
Adjust the slope (a) and y-intercept (b) to see how the line changes.
Check your understanding of slopes and intercepts!
Rene Descartes, a French philosopher and mathematician, invented the Cartesian coordinate system in the 17th century, allowing us to link algebra (equations) with geometry (graphs) for the first time!