Y=Mx+C Worksheet

Y=Mx+C at a glance

y=mx+c is the general equation of a straight line. When written in the form y=mx+c, m is the gradient of the line and c is the y intercept. The gradient of a straight line tells us how steep the line is and the bigger the gradient, the steeper the line. A line with a negative gradient slopes downwards. The y intercept of the line tells us the y coordinate of the point where the line passes through the y axis. 

See also: Gradient of a line

Sometimes the equations of linear graphs may be written in a form other than y=mx+c. If this is the case, we can rearrange the equation into the form y=mx+c, i.e. make y the subject, to give us the gradient and y intercept of the line. 

If we have a straight line graph, we can find the equation of the straight line by finding the gradient and the y intercept of the line and substituting these values into the equation y=mx+c. To find the gradient, we need to identify the x coordinates and y coordinates of two points, subtract the y values, subtract x values and then divide them.

Looking forward, students can then progress to additional straight line graphs worksheets and on to more algebra worksheets, for example a simplifying expressions worksheet or simultaneous equations worksheet.

For more teaching and learning support on Algebra our GCSE maths lessons provide step by step support for all GCSE maths concepts.