Question
What do all members of the family of linear functions have in common?
All members of the family of linear functions have graphs that are lines with slope \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and y-intercept \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
Sketch several members of the family.
Studdy Solution
STEP 1
What is this asking? What features do the graphs of the functions share, and what do they look like? Watch out! Don't mix up the slope and the y-intercept!
STEP 2
1. Rewrite the function
2. Identify the slope and y-intercept
3. Sketch the graphs
STEP 3
Let's **rewrite** our function in the familiar slope-intercept form, .
Remember, the **slope** is represented by , and the **y-intercept** is represented by .
STEP 4
We can rewrite as .
See how we just switched the order?
Addition is commutative, meaning .
STEP 5
Now, compare with .
Notice that the coefficient of in our rewritten function is .
This tells us that the **slope**, , is .
Every function in this family will have this **same slope**.
STEP 6
The constant term in our rewritten function is .
This means the **y-intercept**, , is .
Since can change, the **y-intercept** changes, giving us different lines in the family.
STEP 7
Let's **sketch** a few examples!
If , our function is .
This line has a **slope** of and crosses the y-axis at .
STEP 8
If , our function is , which simplifies to .
The **slope** is still , and it crosses the y-axis at the origin, .
STEP 9
If , our function is .
Again, the **slope** is , and this time, the line crosses the y-axis at .
STEP 10
Notice how all the lines we sketched are parallel because they all have the **same slope** of .
They just shift up or down depending on the value of , which is the **y-intercept**!
STEP 11
All members of the family of linear functions have graphs that are lines with slope and y-intercept .
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