Linear Equations
(KS3, Year 7)
An Example of a Linear Equation
An example of a linear equation is shown below: In this example, there are two variables (x and y). None of the variables have a number written to the right and above it (that is, the highest exponent is 1).Linear Equations as Equations of Lines
The linear equation has two variables: x and y. Pairs of values of x and y will make both sides of the equation equal. In the table below, pairs of values of x and y are chosen in the left hand column. They are substituted into the equation (y = 2x + 1) in the right hand column. Both sides of the equals sign are equal.x = 1, y = 3 | 3 = 2 × 1 + 1 \(\:\:\:\) = 2 + 1 = 3 ✔ |
x = 2, y = 5 | 5 = 2 × 2 + 1 \(\:\:\:\) = 4 + 1 = 5 ✔ |
x = 3, y = 7 | 7 = 2 × 3 + 1 \(\:\:\:\) = 6 + 1 = 7 ✔ |
Forms of Linear Equations
Linear equations come in many forms.-
The general form of a linear equation is:
the general form of a linear equation -
The slope-intercept form of a linear equation is:
m is the slope and c is the y-intercept.
the slope-intercept form of a linear equation -
The slope-point form of a linear equation is:
m is the slope of the line, and the point (x1, y1) is a point (in Cartesian coordinates) on the line.
the slope-point form of a linear equation
What a Linear Equation Is...
Let's see what parts a linear equation can have: A linear equation can contain:- Variables (such as y and x above)
- Constants (such as 1 above)
- Coefficients - a constant in front of a variable (such as 2 above)
...And What It Isn't
Now let's see what a linear equation cannot have. If you see any of these, it isn't a linear equation. The variables in the linear equation (the y and x) cannot contain:- Exponents - variables can only appear as x and y, not as x2 or y3
- Roots - variables cannot appear as √x or ∛y
Worksheet
This test is printable and sendable