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Mathematics
Quarter 1, Week 6 – Module 6.3
Describing the Graph of a Linear
Equation in Terms of its
Intercepts and Slopes – M8AL-If-3
\
Mathematics – Grade 8
Quarter 1– Module 6.3: DESCRIBING THE GRAPH OF A LINEAR EQUATION IN
TERMS OF ITS INTERCEPTS AND SLOPES

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: FLOCERPIDA B. BARRIAS

Editors: NERISSA A. MORTEGA

EFLEDA C. DOLZ
HILDA J. CARLET
DIOLETA B. BORAIS

Reviewer: LILLI ANN HERMOGENES

Illustrator/ Layout Artist: MARISOL B. BOSEO

 GRADE 8 (QUARTER 1)
MODULE 6.3
DESCRIBING THE GRAPH OF A LINEAR EQUATION IN
TERMS OF ITS INTERCEPTS AND SLOPES

Introduction:

You have learned earlier how to graph linear equations in two

variables using the different methods: given any two points, given the 𝑥-
and 𝑦-intercepts and given the slope and a point on the line.

A linear equation can also be described by its graph. In this module,

you will learn how to describe the graph of a linear equations in terms of
its intercepts and slopes.

Objective:
In this learning module, the students must be able to describe the
graph of a linear equation in terms of its intercepts and slopes.

Vocabulary List:
• abscissa – refers to the distance of a point from the vertical
axis. It is the first coordinate of an ordered pair of numbers
representing a point on a coordinate plane and is also called
the x-coordinate.
• ordinate – refers to the distance of a point from the horizontal
axis. It is the second coordinate in an ordered pair of numbers
representing a point on a coordinate plane and is also called
the 𝑦- coordinate.
• Cartesian Coordinate Plane – known as the Rectangular
Coordinate System which is composed of two perpendicular
number lines (vertical and horizontal) that meet at the point of
origin whose coordinates are (0,0).
• graph of a linear equation – is a straight line that composes
the set of all solutions of a linear equation.
• horizontal line – a line parallel to the x-axis

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 • ordered pair – a pair of numbers in the form (𝑥, 𝑦) which
serve as the coordinates of a point
• origin – the point at which the 𝑥- and 𝑦-axes intersect. This
corresponds to the ordered pair (0,0).
• rise – refers to the vertical change or change in y-coordinate
• run – Is the horizontal change or change in 𝑥-coordinate
• slope of a line – refers to the steepness of a line which can
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑦 −𝑦
be solved using the formula : m = or m = 2 1
𝑟𝑢𝑛 𝑥2− 𝑥 1
• trend – tells whether the line is increasing or decreasing and
can be determined using the value of m (or slope).
• vertical line – a line parallel to the 𝑦-axis.
• 𝒙-axis – the horizontal axis of the Cartesian plane
• 𝒙-intercept – is the abscissa of the coordinates of the point in
which the graph intersects the 𝑥-axis.
• 𝒚-axis – the vertical axis of the Cartesian plane.
• 𝒚-intercept – is the ordinate of the coordinates of the point in
which the graph intersects the 𝑦-axis.

Pre-Test:

Using the given equations, complete the table below.

Equations slope 𝒙-intercept 𝒚-intercept rise run

𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 2

𝑦 = −2𝑥 − 6

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 Learning Activities:

Learning Situation:

Given the graph below, find the following;

1. 𝑥-intercept 4. run
2. 𝑦-intercept 5. slope
3. rise 6. trend

How can you identify the x-intercept and y-intercept of the given
graph?

How can you determine the rise and run?

What is the slope of the graph? Is it positive or negative?

How is the line positioned?

What is the trend of the graph? Is it increasing? Or decreasing?

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Look at my answers below, and try to analyze them so that you’ll
have a clue in the next exercises that I will be giving you.

ANSWERS:
1. 𝑥-intercept = 2
2. 𝑦-intercept = −3
3. rise = 3
4. run = 2
3
5. slope = , positive
2
6. it rises to the right
7. trend = increasing

You should not forget the concept you’ve learned about slope.
The slope 𝒎 of a line can be computed by finding the quotient of rise
and run. That is,
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒
𝑚=
𝑟𝑢𝑛

The rise refers to the vertical change or change in y-coordinate while

the run is the horizontal change or change in x-coordinate. That is,

𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦−𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒

𝑚= = =
𝑟𝑢𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑥−𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒

How are the changes in 𝑦 and 𝑥 determined? Observe the example

below:

Suppose the coordinates of two points A and B are (1,1) and (2,3)
respectively, determine the changes in x and y and find the slope.

Solution:

If 𝑃1 (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and 𝑃2 (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ), then the slope 𝑚 of the line can be computed
by the formula
𝑦2−𝑦1 𝑦1−𝑦2
𝑚= or 𝑚 = where 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑥2.
𝑥2 −𝑥1 𝑥1 −𝑥2

𝑦2−𝑦1 3−1
So, 𝑚 = = then, the change in 𝑦 is 2; and the change in 𝑥
𝑥2 −𝑥1 2−1
2
is 1; therefore the slope (𝑚) = or 𝒎 = 𝟐 and since the
1
slope is positive, we expect the graph to be rising from left to right.

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 Does the value of the slope 𝒎 affect the trend of the graph?
Then, when will the graph rise from right to left?

Is there a change in rise if the line is horizontal? What is the

slope of the horizontal line?

Is there a change in x if the line is vertical? What is the slope

of a vertical line?

Before you answer our next activity, take note of the following
important points. These would really help you in describing the
graphs of linear equations in two variables in terms of its intercepts
and slope.

NOTE THAT:

❖ A basic property of a line, other than vertical line, is that its slope is
constant.
❖ The slope of the horizontal line is zero because there is no change in
y. While that of the vertical line is undefined because there is no
change in x so there could be no zero divisor.
Both lines do not represent linear functions.
❖ The value of the slope m tells the trend of the graph.
➢ If m is positive, then the graph is increasing from left to
right.
➢ If m is negative, then the graph is decreasing from left to
right.
➢ If m is zero, then the graph is a horizontal line.
➢ If m is undefined, then the graph is a vertical line.

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 Practice Exercises:

Practice Task 1:
Find the slope of each line below:

Practice Task 2:
Determine the slope (𝑚) and the 𝑦-intercept of each line.

1. 𝑦 = 2𝑥– 5
2. 𝑦 = −3𝑥 + 7
3. 𝑦 =𝑥+6
1
4. 𝑦= 𝑥−8
4
2 1
5. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 2

Practice Task 3:
Describe the graph of the linear equations given in Practice Task 2.

Post Test:

Determine the slope of each line and describe the trend of its graph.

1. 𝑦 = 3𝑥– 5 4. 𝑦 = −3𝑥– 4
3
2. 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 9 5. 𝑦 = 4 𝑥 + 3
3. 4𝑥 + 𝑦 = −2

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 Assignment:

Describe the graph of each linear equation given slope 𝑚 and 𝑦-

intercept.

1. 𝑚 = 2 and 𝑏 = 3
−3
2. 𝑚 = −3 and 𝑏 = 2
1
3. 𝑚 = 2 and 𝑏 = 3

ANSWER KEY:
PRE-TEST:
𝒙- 𝒚- run
Equation Slope rise
intercept intercept
−2 3 1(to the
1. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 2 3 2 right)
3 (upward)

2 1(to the
2. 𝑦 = −2𝑥 − 6 -2 -3 -6 right)
(downward)

PRACTICE TASK 1:
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1. 2. −1 3. 0
2

PRACTICE TASK 2:
1. 𝑚 = 2 and 𝑦-intercept = −5
2. 𝑚 = −3 and 𝑦-intercept = 7
3. 𝑚 = 1 and 𝑦-intercept = 6
1
4. 𝑚 = 4 and 𝑦-intercept = −8
2 1
5. 𝑚 = 3 and 𝑦-intercept = − 2

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 PRACTICE TASK 3:
1. increasing from left to right
2. decreasing from left to right
3. increasing from left to right
4. increasing from left to right
5. increasing from left to right

POST TEST:
1. 𝑚 = 3 ; increasing from left to right
2. 𝑚 = −1 ; decreasing from left to right
3. 𝑚 = −4 ; decreasing from left to right
4. 𝑚 = −3 ; decreasing from left to right
3
5. 𝑚 = ; increasing from left to right
4

ASSIGNMENT:
1. increasing from left to right
2. decreasing from left to right
3. increasing from left to right

References:
• Mathematics Learners Material for OHSP, pp. 94-96
• Distance Learning Module Mathematics I (Unit 6 –Linear Equations
and Inequalities), pp. 11-14
• Daily Lesson Plan, pp 161-165
• Mathematics 8 Learner’s Module, pp. 183-186
• Grade 8 Mathematics Teacher’s Guide, pp. 198-201