GradeMap

Grade 9 · Math · Unit 6 of 10

Linear Relations

Slope, intercepts and graphs

What your child practises

Finding slope from points and graphs, reading y = mx + b, finding intercepts, deciding whether a point is on a line, spotting parallel lines, and using rates of change in stories.

Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: PR1, PR2 · writing, graphing and analysing linear relations

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practise.

  1. A line has the equation y = mx + b.
  2. The slope m is rise ÷ run. The y-intercept b is where the line crosses the y-axis.
  3. Find the slope from two points on the line.

Example: A line goes through (0, 1) and (2, 5). What is its slope? Rise: 5 − 1 = 4. Run: 2 − 0 = 2. Slope: 4 ÷ 2 = 2. Answer: 2 (so y = 2x + 1)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    What is the slope of the line through (0, 0) and (1, -3)?

    -5-5-4-4-3-3-2-2-1-1001122334455AB

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    -3

    Hint: slope = rise ÷ run = (-3 − 0) ÷ (1 − 0) = −3 ÷ 1 = −3.

  2. Question 2

    Find the slope of the line through (1, 3) and (5, 2).

    -5-5-4-4-3-3-2-2-1-1001122334455AB
    • -4
    • 4
    • -1/4
    • 1/4
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    -1/4

    Hint: rise = −1, run = 4, so slope = -1/4.

  3. Question 3

    What is the y-intercept of y = 5x + 4?

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    4

    Hint: In y = mx + b, the y-intercept is b. Here b = 4.

  4. Question 4

    Which equation has slope 6 and a y-intercept of 2?

    • y = 6x − 2
    • y = -6x + 2
    • y = 6x + 2
    • y = 2x + 6
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    y = 6x + 2

    Hint: Use y = mx + b with m = 6 and b = 2: y = 6x + 2.

  5. Question 5

    Is the point (5, 24) on the line y = 4x + 4?

    • Yes
    • No
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    Yes

    Hint: Substitute x = 5: y = 4(5) + 4 = 24. This matches 24.

  6. Question 6

    What is the x-intercept of y = 3x − 21?

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    7

    Hint: At the x-intercept, y = 0. Solve 3x − 21 = 0, so x = 7.