$y \,=\, mx+c$
It is an equation of a straight line when a straight line intercepts $y$-axis at a point with some slope.
A straight line intercepts the vertical $y$-axis at point $B$ with an intercept $c$ and it makes an angle of $\theta$ with horizontal axis. The point $B$ in the form of coordinates is $B(0, c)$.
$P$ is a point on the straight line and it is $x$ and $y$ units distance from the origin in the directions of horizontal and vertical axes respectively. So, the point $P$ in the form of coordinates is written as $P(x, y)$.
Therefore, the straight line is denoted as $\small \overleftrightarrow{BP}$ in mathematics geometrically.
Take, the slope of straight line is represented by $m$ and write it in trigonometric form.
$m \,=\, \tan{\theta}$
Draw a perpendicular line to parallel line of $x$-axis from point $P$ and it intersects the parallel line of $x$-axis at point $Q$. Thus, a right triangle ($\Delta QBP$) is formed geometrically.
Now, find the $\tan{\theta}$ in trigonometric system and it equals to the slope of the straight line.
$\tan{\theta} \,=\, \dfrac{PQ}{BQ}$
$\implies \tan{\theta} \,=\, \dfrac{OP-OQ}{BQ}$
$\implies \tan{\theta} \,=\, \dfrac{y-c}{x}$
$\implies m \,=\, \dfrac{y-c}{x}$
$\implies mx \,=\, y-c$
$\implies mx+c \,=\, y$
$\,\,\, \therefore \,\,\,\,\,\, y \,=\, mx+c$
It is a linear equation which represents an equation of a straight line when a straight line intercepts $y$-axis with a $y$-intercept and slope. Therefore, it is called as slope and $y$-intercept form equation of a straight line.
A free math education service for students to learn every math concept easily, for teachers to teach mathematics understandably and for mathematicians to share their maths researching projects.
Copyright © 2012 - 2023 Math Doubts, All Rights Reserved