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Web Page Linear Equations

The document provides information about writing linear equations for physics and math. It discusses graph basics like axes, points, slope, and lines of best fit. The linear equation y=mx+b is explained, where m is slope, x is the x-coordinate, and b is the y-intercept. Examples are given of how this equation can be used to find missing values like slope or data points. Finally, it shows how to convert the linear equation into physics variables, with position as y, time as x, m as velocity, x as change in time, and b as initial position.

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Martha Barrett
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24 views

Web Page Linear Equations

The document provides information about writing linear equations for physics and math. It discusses graph basics like axes, points, slope, and lines of best fit. The linear equation y=mx+b is explained, where m is slope, x is the x-coordinate, and b is the y-intercept. Examples are given of how this equation can be used to find missing values like slope or data points. Finally, it shows how to convert the linear equation into physics variables, with position as y, time as x, m as velocity, x as change in time, and b as initial position.

Uploaded by

Martha Barrett
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHYSICS HELP PAGE: WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONS FOR MATH AND PHYSICS

A quick review of graph basics for those of us who havent thought about graphing in awhile! The X axis is the horizontal axis. Usually in science, we call this our IV or Independent Variable. The Y axis is the vertical axis. Usually in science, we call this our DV or Dependent Variable. Point Coordinates (written in parenthesis and ordered x first, y second) are how we tell where a point is located. For example, in the picture above, the left-most point has the coordinates (0, 3) and the right-most point has the coordinates (3, 4). Students can use these coordinates to calculate the slope. Since graphs are read from left to right, the first point is the x1, y1 and the second point is x2, y2. Students then use the formula y2 y1 to find the slope. X 2 x1 A line of best fit is a straight line draw through data points where data is close but not perfect. A linear relationship is the relationship between two variables, the IV and the DV, whose graphed data points lie on a straight line. CONSTANT motion is represented by a linear graph because the slope of the line is the same. You can pick any 2 points on the line and you should get the same slope. The linear equation for a straight line is:

y = mx + b
In this equation, if we translate between math and physics, each letter stands for: y = the y-coordinate, or the Dependent Variable in physics.

m = the slope (which is also the speed or velocity. In our classes, even though velocity is speed with a direction, we use slope, speed and velocity to mean the same thing for now). x = the x-coordinate, or the Independent Variable in physics. b = the y-intercept, or where the line touches or cuts through the y axis. If the graph begins at (0,0), then the value of b = 0. Here are all the ways that a linear equation can be written: (you may have seen it more than one way, but all of these mean the same thing) y = mx + b y = ax + b y = b + mx y = b + ax

So why do we need a linear equation? Sometimes we may not be given the slope, and the linear equation can
help us find it.

Sometimes we need to determine actual data points along a straight line when given the slope and a data point (x, y). Sometimes our graph may not begin at (0,0) and we will need to find the y-intercept.

CONVERTING y = mx + b INTO PHYSICS VARIABLES: Remember, on physics graphs, position (x) is the label for the Y axis. Time is the label for the X axis. Y = xf (final position)

m = velocity x = t (change in time, t2 t1) b = xi (initial position) So the physics equivalent of y = mx + b is: xf = v t + xi

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