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Linear function

 

Linear function

A linear function is a mathematical function term of the form:

f(x) = m x + c

where m and c are constants.

This function can also be written

y = m x + c

and plotted on an x,y graph. It forms a straight line, as the name implies.

The constant m is often called the slope or gradient while c is the y-intercept, which gives the point of intersection between the graph of the function and the y-axis.

Examples:

  • f(x)= 2x + 1
    (here m=2, c=1)
  • f(x) = x (m=1, c=0)
  • f(x)= 9 x - 2
  • f(x)= -3 x + 4

    On a line graph, changing m makes the line steeper or shallower, and changing c moves the line up or down.

    As mentioned, the line crosses the y-axis at the co-ordinate (0,c). It crosses the x-axis at (-c / m) (solving for 0 = m x + c we get x = -c / m).



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    This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available
    under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
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    © 2008 Chamas Enterprises Inc.