Example

Identifying the Slope and y-Intercept of y=3x+5y = -3x + 5

When a linear equation is already written in slope-intercept form y=mx+by = mx + b, the slope and y-intercept can be identified by direct comparison — no algebraic manipulation is needed.

Given: y=3x+5y = -3x + 5

Step 1 — Write the slope-intercept form: y=mx+by = mx + b

Step 2 — Compare the given equation to the form. Line up the given equation y=3x+5y = -3x + 5 with the general form y=mx+by = mx + b. The coefficient of xx takes the place of mm, and the constant term takes the place of bb.

Step 3 — Identify the slope: The coefficient of xx is 3-3, so m=3m = -3.

Step 4 — Identify the y-intercept: The constant term is 55, so b=5b = 5 and the y-intercept is the point (0,5)(0, 5).

This example demonstrates the most straightforward case: when the equation is already in y=mx+by = mx + b form, the slope and y-intercept can be read directly without any rearranging.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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