Linear Functions

Linear Functions

A linear function is a function of the

form;
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
Where m and b are real numbers,
and 𝑚 ≠ 0. Its graph is a line with
slope m and y- intercept b.
 Domain and Range of
Linear Functions
The domain of a linear function is the set of real
numbers.

The range of a linear function is the set of real

numbers.
 Forms of Linear Functions
Another way of describing a function is by using
equations. The linear function can be described
by a polynomial with a degree of 1.

A linear equation can be written in the form

𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐 𝑜𝑟 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏.
 Which of the following is a linear function?
1. 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 3 LINEAR FUNCTION
2. 3𝑥 − 5𝑦 = 7 LINEAR FUNCTION
3𝑥 5
2
3. 𝑦 = − NOT LINEAR FUNCTION
2 2
4. 𝑥 = 𝑦 + 1 NOT LINEAR FUNCTION
3
5. 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥+3
NOT LINEAR FUNCTION
The forms of linear functions can be translate to
one another. That is, we can translate
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐 into 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 and vice-
versa.

In order to do this, we must understand that 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑦.

Example:
Rewrite the following in the form 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏.

4𝑥 − 5𝑦 = 20 𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑦
4𝑥 − 5𝑦 = 20
4𝑥 + −4𝑥 − 5𝑦 = 20 + (−4𝑥)
−5𝑦 −4𝑥+20
=
−5 −5
4
𝑦 = 𝑥−4
5
4
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 4
5
Example:
Rewrite the following in the form 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏.
3𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 14 𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑦
3𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 14
3𝑥 + −3𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 14 + (−3𝑥)
7𝑦 −3𝑥+14
=
7 7
−3
𝑦 = 𝑥+2
7
−3
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥+2
7
Example:
Rewrite the following in the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐
𝑓 𝑥 = 5𝑥 − 8 𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑦 = 5𝑥 − 8
𝑦 + −5𝑥 = 5𝑥 + (−5𝑥) − 8
𝑦 − 5𝑥 = −8
−5𝑥 + 𝑦 = −8 or
𝑦 − 5𝑥 = −8
Example:
Rewrite the following in the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐
−5 𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 12 −5
3 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 12
3
5 −5 5
𝑦 + 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 12
3 3 3
5
𝑦 + 𝑥 = 12
3
5
3 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 12 3
3
5𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 36
 Components of Linear Functions
The slope of a line is the ratio of the amount of rise to
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝒚𝟏 −𝒚𝟐
the amount of run =
𝑟𝑢𝑛 𝒙𝟏 −𝒙𝟐

The x-intercept is the x-coordinate of the point where

the graph intersects the x-axis.

The y-intercept is the y-coordinate of the point where

the graph intersects the y-axis.
Examples:
Determine the slope and the y-intercept of each linear function

𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 − 7.
𝑚=3 ; 𝑏 = −7
−1
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 4.
2
−1
𝑚= ; 𝑏=4
2
Examples:
Determine the slope and the y-intercept of each linear function

3𝑥 − 5𝑦 = 15
−3𝑥 − 3𝑦 = 10
In a linear function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, the
x-intercept is the value of x when
𝑓 𝑥 = 0. In other words, to determine
the x- intercept of a linear function 𝑓 𝑥 ,
equate 𝑓 𝑥 to 0 and solve for x.
Example:
Determine the x-intercept of each linear function.

𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 − 7. 𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑓 𝑥 = 0.
𝑓 𝑥 = 0 = 3𝑥 − 7
3𝑥 = 7
7
𝑥=
7 3
Hence, the x- intercept of f(x) is .
3
Example:
Determine the x-intercept of each linear function.
−1
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 4. 𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑓 𝑥 = 0.
2
−1
𝑓 𝑥 =0= 𝑥 +4
2
1
𝑥 =4
2
𝑥=8
Hence, the x- intercept of f(x) is 8.
 Determining the Trend of
Slope Intercept Form
Consider the two linear functions whose graphs are given below.

2 1 1
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 𝑓 𝑥 = − 𝑥.
3 3 2
The trend of a linear function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 is
increasing if its slope m is positive.

The trend of a linear function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 is

decreasing if its slope m is negative.
Examples:

2 1 1
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + . 𝑓 𝑥 = −4𝑥 + .
5 7 9
INCREASING DECREASING

𝑓 𝑥 = −𝑥 − 9. 𝑓 𝑥 = 8𝑥 − 6.
DECREASING INCREASING
 Graphing Linear Functions
You have learned earlier that a linear equation
can be described by its equation, either in the form
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 or 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐. A linear
equation can also be described by its graph.
 Graphing linear equations can be done
using any of the four methods:
1. Using two points
2. Using x- and y- intercepts
3. Using the slope and the y- intercept
4. Using the slope and a point
 Using Two Points
In Geometry, you learned that two points
determine a line.
Example:
Graph 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1

You may assign any two values for x, say

0 and 1.
𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1
𝑦 =2 0 +1 𝑦 =2 1 +1
𝑦 =0+1 𝑦 =2+1
𝑦=1 𝑦=3
 If 𝑥 = 0, then 𝑦 = 1. (1, 3)
Furthermore, if 𝑥 = 1,
then 𝑦 = 3. So the (0, 1)

ordered pairs are (0, 1)

and (1, 3). This means
that the line passes
through these points.
Using x-intercept and y-intercept
The x- intercept (a) and y- intercept (b) of the
line could represent two points, which are (a,
0) and (0, b). Thus, the intercepts are enough
to graph the linear function
 Graph 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1
To graph the function using this method, you need to solve for the x- intercept
by letting y= 0 and the y- intercept by letting x= 0

For y- intercept For x- intercept

𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1
𝑦=2 0 +1 0=2 𝑥 +1
𝑦 =0+1 2𝑥 = −1 The x- intercept a is
−1
2
𝑦=1 −1 while the y- intercept
𝑥= b is 1.
2
 The x- intercept is the
abscissa of the coordinates of
the point in which the
−1
( , 0)
2
(0, 1) graph intersects the x- axis.
However, the y- intercept is
the ordinate of the
coordinates of the point in
which the graph intersects
the y- axis
 Using slope and y-
intercept
The third method is using the slope and y- intercept. This
can be done by identifying the slope and the y- intercept
of the linear equation
 Graph 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1
(𝑟𝑢𝑛 = 1)
The slope m is 2 and y- intercept
b is 1. Plot first the y- intercept, (1, 3)
then use the slope to find the (𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 = 2)
2 (0, 1)
other point. Note that 2 means
1
which means rise = 2 and run =1.
(𝑦 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡)
Using the y- intercept as the
starting point, we move two
units upward since rise= 2 and 1
unit to the right since run=1
 Note that if the rise is less than zero (or negative), we move
downward from the first point to look for the second point.
Similarly if the run is less than zero (or negative), we move to the
left from the first point to look for the second point
 Using slope and a Point
The fourth method in graphing linear function is
by using the slope and one point. This can be done
by plotting first the given point and plotting the
second point using slope.
 Graph 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1 Let 𝑥 = 1, find 𝑓 𝑥 .

To find a point in this 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1

function, we may assign any 𝑓(1) = 2 1 + 1
value for x in the given 𝑓 1 =2+1
equation 𝑓 1 =3

The coordinate is (1, 3)

 (𝑟𝑢𝑛 = 1)

(2, 5)
(𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 = 2)
Since the slope of the
(1, 3) 2
function is , use the
1
rise of 2 and the run of
1 to determine the
coordinates of the
second point
 Examples
Graph the following linear functions using the mentioned
method..

1. 𝑓 𝑥 = −3𝑥 + 3 ; two points

4
2. 𝑓 𝑥 = − 𝑥 − 5 ; intercepts
3
3
3. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 3 ; slope and y-intercept
2
2
4. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 5 ; slope and a point
5
 Seatwork:
Graph the following functions using any of the four methods.

1. 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 − 2
2. 𝑓 𝑥 = −4𝑥 + 5
−1
3. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥+3
2
2
4. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥−4
3
 Determining Linear Functions
Linear Functions can be determined using the
following formulae:
1. Slope- intercept form: 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
2. Given x- and y- intercept
3. Point-slope form: 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
𝑦2 −𝑦1
4. Two- point form: 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = (𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
𝑥2 −𝑥1
Determining f(x)=mx+b given the Slope and y-intercept

A linear function whose slope and y- intercept are given

can be determined by directly substituting the value of the
slope to m and the y- intercept to b in 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
Example:
Write the linear function whose slope and y- intercept are given.

Let f(x) be the required

function:
1. slope=5;
ANS: Since the slope m= 5 and
y- intercept=4 y- intercept b=4, then
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟒
Example:
Write the linear function whose slope and y- intercept are given.

Let f(x) be the required

function:
2. slope=-3;
ANS: Since the slope m= -3 and
y- intercept=2 y- intercept b=2, then
f x = mx + b
𝐟 𝐱 = −𝟑𝐱 + 𝟐
Example:
Write the linear function whose slope and y- intercept are given.

Let f(x) be the required

function:
2 2
3. slope= ; ANS: Since the slope m= and
3 3
y- intercept=-5 y- intercept b=-5, then
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
𝟐
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙 −𝟓
𝟑
Example:
Write the linear function whose slope and y- intercept are given.

Let f(x) be the required function:

ANS: Since the slope m= -2.5 and
4. slope=-2.5; y- intercept b= 1.2, then
y- intercept=1.2 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
𝒇 𝒙 = −𝟐. 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟏. 𝟐
Example:
Write the linear function whose slope and y- intercept are given.

Let f(x) be the required

function:
5. slope=1; ANS: Since the slope m= 1 and
y- intercept=-8 y- intercept b= -8, then
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
𝒇 𝒙 =𝒙−𝟖
 Determining f(x)=mx+b given the x and y intercepts

A linear function whose x and y intercepts are given can be

𝑥 𝑦
determined using the formula + = 1. Where a and b are
𝑎 𝑏
the x and y intercepts respectively. An alternative formula
will be
𝑏
𝑓 𝑥 = − 𝑥 +𝑏
𝑎
Example: Write the linear function whose x and y intercepts are given.

Using the formula, we will have

𝑥 𝑦
+ = 1. we will then solve y in terms of x and
3 4
replace 𝑦 with 𝑓 𝑥 .
1. a= 3; b= 4 𝑥
+
𝑦
12 = 1 12
3 4
4𝑥
4𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 12 𝑦 =− +4
3
𝟒𝒙
3𝑦 = 12 − 4𝑥 𝒇 𝒙 =− +𝟒
𝟑
3𝑦 12−4𝑥
=
3 3
 An alternative solution is to use the function
𝑏
𝑓 𝑥 =− 𝑥+𝑏
1. a= 3; b= 4 𝑎
Since a= 3 and b= 4, then
𝟒
𝒇 𝒙 =− 𝒙+𝟒
𝟑
Example: Write the linear function whose x and y intercepts are given.
An alternative solution is to use the function
𝑏
𝑓 𝑥 =− 𝑥+𝑏
𝑎
1
1 Since a= -1 and b= , then
2. a= -1; b= 1
2
2
2 1
𝑓 𝑥 =− 𝑥+
−1 2

𝟏 𝟏
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙+
𝟐 𝟐
Example: Write the linear function whose x and y intercepts are given.
An alternative solution is to use the function
𝑏
𝑓 𝑥 =− 𝑥+𝑏
𝑎
2 1
Since a= and b= , then
2 3 3 2
3. a= ; b= − 3
3 4 − 3
𝑓 𝑥 =− 4 𝑥−
2 4
3
𝟗 𝟑
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙−
𝟖 𝟒
 Determining f(x)=mx+b given the Slope and a Point
A linear function whose slope and a point on its graph are
given can be determined by substituting the given values to
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑏

A linear function 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )is the point- slope

form. The value of m is the slope of the line which contains a
fixed point 𝑃1 (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 )
Example: Write the linear function whose graph has the given slope
and passes through the given point..

𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
1. slope=4; (3, −3) 𝑦 − −3 = 4(𝑥 − 3)
𝑦 + 3 = 4𝑥 − 12
𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 15
𝐟(𝐱) = 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏𝟓
Example: Write the linear function whose graph has the given slope
and passes through the given point..

𝒚 − 𝒚𝟏 = 𝒎(𝒙 − 𝒙𝟏 )
𝒚 − −𝟐 = −𝟑 𝒙 − −𝟏
2. slope=−3;
(−1, −2) 𝒚 + 𝟐 = −𝟑 𝒙 + 𝟏
𝒚 + 𝟐 = −𝟑𝒙 − 𝟑
𝒚 = −𝟑𝒙 − 𝟓
𝐟 𝐱 = −𝟑𝒙 − 𝟓
 Determining f(x)=mx+b given any Two Points

To find a linear function whose any two points on its

graph are given, use the formula for slope, substitute the
given values to 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 and solve for b.
Example: Write the linear function whose graph passes through the
given two points

1. −6, 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (3, −5)

−𝟓 − 𝟐
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙+𝟔 +𝟐
𝟑+𝟔
An alternative solution is to use the
function;
𝒚𝟐 − 𝒚 𝟏 −𝟕
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝒙𝟏 + 𝒚𝟏 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙+𝟔 +𝟐
𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟏 𝟗
−𝟕 𝟏𝟒
From the point (-6, 2), 𝑥1 = −6, 𝑦1 = 2. 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙− +𝟐
From the point (3, -5), 𝑥2 = 3, 𝑦2 = −5 𝟗 𝟑
−𝟕 𝟖
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙−
𝟗 𝟑
Example: Write the linear function whose graph passes through the
given two points

2. 1, 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (3, −4)

−𝟒 − 𝟐
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙−𝟏 +𝟐
𝟑−𝟏
An alternative solution is to use the
function;
𝒚𝟐 − 𝒚𝟏 −𝟔
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝒙𝟏 + 𝒚𝟏 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙−𝟏 +𝟐
𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟏 𝟐
𝒇 𝒙 = −𝟑 𝒙 − 𝟏 + 𝟐
From the point (1, 2), 𝑥1 = 1, 𝑦1 = 2.
From the point (3, -4), 𝑥2 = 3, 𝑦2 = −4 𝒇 𝒙 = −𝟑𝒙 + 𝟑 + 𝟐
𝒇 𝒙 = −𝟑𝒙 + 𝟓
Problems involving
Linear Functions
Example:
A high school had 1200 students enrolled in 2003 and
1500 students in 2006. If the student population P ;
grows as a linear function of time t, where t is the
number of years after 2003.

a) How many students will be enrolled in the school in

2010?
b) Find a linear function that relates the student
population to the time t.
Example:
A 500-liter tank full of oil is being drained at
the constant rate of 20 liters par minute.

a) Write a linear function V for the number of liters in

the tank after t minutes (assuming that the drainage
started at t = 0).
b) Find the V and the t intercepts and interpret them.
c) How many liters are in the tank after 11 minutes and
45 seconds?
Example:
A 50-meter by 70-meter
rectangular garden is
surrounded by a walkway of
constant width x meters.
a) Write the outside perimeter P in
terms of x.
b) Find the slope of the graph of P.
c) What is the meaning of the slope
found in b)?
Example:
A rectangular wire frame has one of its
dimensions moving at the rate of 0.5
cm / second. Its width is constant and
equal to 4 cm. If at t = 0 the length of
the rectangle is 10 cm,
a) what is the length at time t?
b) Write a formula for the area A of the rectangle in
terms of t.
c) Write a formula for the perimeter P of the
rectangle in terms of t.
c) As x increases, which one, the perimeter or the
area, increases faster?