| Axis = the horizontal and the vertical lines that intersect at the point of origin |
| b = the algebraic symbol for the y-intercept in the equation y = mx + b . |
| co-ordinates = the term "co" refers to two, the x and the y distances from the origin. They are usually expressed as (x,y). e.g. (-5,4) is a point five spaces to the left of the origin and 4 spaces upward from the origin. |
| m = a mathematical symbol representing the slope of a line. The m in y = mx + b. |
| line = two or more points that are straight and have the same slope or angle from point to point. |
| No Slope = a horizontal line where x is the same across all values of y. e.g. x = 5 where there is no y expressed in the equation. This topic is not covered by this tutorial. |
| origin = the middle of the graph where both the x and y co-ordinates are zero. (0,0) |
| point = a single co-ordinate, or position on a graph. A point is assumed to have no width or height. A minimum of two points are required to draw a line. |
| rise = an up or down (positive or negative) change in y. |
| run = a left or right (negative or positive) change in x. |
| Slope = represented by m, as a fraction with the change in y as the numerator and the change in x as the denominator. This fracdtion is also known as the rise over the run (rise/run). When the slope is expressed as a whole number, the denominator is always one (1). Slope is the angle of the straight line. |
| x-axis = the horizontal line going through the origin. The negative end of the x-axis is to the left of the origin; the positive side of the x-axis is to the right side of the origin. (-) ----------O---------- (+) |
| x-intercept = the point at which the plotted or graphed line crosses the x-axis. |
| y-axis = vertical line going through the origin. The negative end of the y-axis is downward from the origin; the positive side of the y-axis goes upward from the origin. |
| y-intercept = the point at which the plotted or graphed line crosses the y-axis. |
| Zero Slope = a vertical line where y is the same across all values of x. e.g. y = 5 where there is no x expressed in the equation. This topic is not covered by this tutorial. |