Linear Function

Math Glossary

A resource for WE & Friends Mathematics and Science Projects

Home  | A  | B  | C  |  D  | E  | F  | G  | H  |  I  | J  | K  | L  | M  | N  | O  | P  | Q  | R  | S  | T  | U  | V  | W  | X  | Y  | Z

This glossary is far from complete. We are constantly adding math terms.
For instructions on adding new terms, please refer to Math Glossary Main Page

Definition

Linear function A function [math]f\,[/math] defined for all real [math]x\,[/math] by a formula of the form [math]f(x)=ax+b\,[/math] It's called a linear function because its graph is a straight line. The number [math]b\,[/math] is called the y-intercept of the line; it is the y-coordinate [math](0,b)\,[/math] where the line cuts the y-axis. The number [math]a\,[/math] is called the slope of the line.

Examples

[math]\text{Linear function }\,[/math][math]f(x)=3x-5\,[/math]

[math]n\,[/math]	[math]f(n)\,[/math]
[math]-5\,[/math]	[math]-20\,[/math]
[math]-4\,[/math]	[math]-17\,[/math]
[math]-3\,[/math]	[math]-14\,[/math]
[math]-2\,[/math]	[math]-11\,[/math]
[math]-1\,[/math]	[math]-8\,[/math]
[math]0\,[/math]	[math]-5\,[/math]
[math]1\,[/math]	[math]-2\,[/math]
[math]2\,[/math]	[math]1\,[/math]
[math]3\,[/math]	[math]4\,[/math]
[math]4\,[/math]	[math]7\,[/math]
[math]5\,[/math]	[math]10\,[/math]

Web Resources

Wikipedia - Linear function