Can you explain how to find straight line equations?

Straight line equations always come in the form y=mx+c, where m is the gradient of the line (how steep it it) and c is the point where the line crosses the y axis (the y intercept).If you are given two points say 1 - (2, -4) and 2 - (6, 8) we can find the equation of the line that runs through them.First we find the gradient - this is the change in y over the change in x, (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)Here this is (8- (-4)) / (6 -2) = 12/4 = 3Next we plug this into the form of the equation and use one of the points to find ceg using point 1, -4 = 3 x 2 + cwe then re arrange -4 - 6 = cTherefore c = -10Finally we use all the values we have found to create the straight line equation,y=3 x -10

JQ
Answered by Judy Q. Maths tutor

2807 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A piggy bank contains 200 coins, 1/4 of these are 1p coins, 100 of these are 5p coins and the rest are 10p coins, how much is the piggy bank worth in £s?


Solve the equation 2X^2 + 5X + 2 = 0 stating clearly the number of roots


In the triangle XYZ XY = 5.6 cm YZ = 10.5 cm angle XYZ = 90 Work out the length of XZ


Solve the simultaneous equations: x^2-y=16 and 2y-4=14x


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning