Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
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).
10-26-2009 08:16:03
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details