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The simplest is the slope-intercept form: = +, from which one can immediately see the slope a and the initial value () =, which is the y-intercept of the graph = (). Given a slope a and one known value () =, we write the point-slope form:
Power functions – relationships of the form = – appear as straight lines in a log–log graph, with the exponent corresponding to the slope, and the coefficient corresponding to the intercept. Thus these graphs are very useful for recognizing these relationships and estimating parameters .
The linear–log type of a semi-log graph, defined by a logarithmic scale on the x axis, and a linear scale on the y axis. Plotted lines are: y = 10 x (red), y = x (green), y = log(x) (blue). In science and engineering, a semi-log plot/graph or semi-logarithmic plot/graph has one axis on a logarithmic scale, the other on a linear scale.
In two dimensions, the equation for non-vertical lines is often given in the slope-intercept form: = + where: m is the slope or gradient of the line. b is the y-intercept of the line. x is the independent variable of the function y = f(x).
Slope illustrated for y = (3/2)x − 1.Click on to enlarge Slope of a line in coordinates system, from f(x) = −12x + 2 to f(x) = 12x + 2. The slope of a line in the plane containing the x and y axes is generally represented by the letter m, [5] and is defined as the change in the y coordinate divided by the corresponding change in the x coordinate, between two distinct points on the line.
A non-vertical line can be defined by its slope m, and its y-intercept y 0 (the y coordinate of its intersection with the y-axis). In this case, its linear equation can be written = +. If, moreover, the line is not horizontal, it can be defined by its slope and its x-intercept x 0. In this case, its equation can be written
This x-intercept will typically be a better approximation to the original function's root than the first guess, and the method can be iterated. x n+1 is a better approximation than x n for the root x of the function f (blue curve) If the tangent line to the curve f(x) at x = x n intercepts the x-axis at x n+1 then the slope is
Isoclines are often used as a graphical method of solving ordinary differential equations. In an equation of the form y' = f(x, y), the isoclines are lines in the (x, y) plane obtained by setting f(x, y) equal to a constant. This gives a series of lines (for different constants) along which the solution curves have the same gradient.