Background Tutorials

• Use similar triangles to explain why the slope m is the same between any two distinct points on a non-vertical line in the coordinate plane; derive the equation y = mx for a line through the origin and the equation y = mx + b for a line intercepting the vertical axis at b.

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    What Does the Slope of a Line Mean?

    You can't learn about linear equations without learning about slope. The slope of a line is the steepness of the line. There are many ways to think about slope. Slope is the rise over the run, the change in 'y' over the change in 'x', or the gradient of a line. Check out this tutorial to learn about slope!

• Understand that a function is a rule that assigns to each input exactly one output. The graph of a function is the set of ordered pairs consisting of an input and the corresponding output.

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    What's a Function?

    You can't go through algebra without learning about functions. This tutorial shows you a great approach to thinking about functions! Learn the definition of a function and see the different ways functions can be represented. Take a look!

• Understand that a function from one set (called the domain) to another set (called the range) assigns to each element of the domain exactly one element of the range. If f is a function and x is an element of its domain, then f(x) denotes the output of f corresponding to the input x. The graph of f is the graph of the equation y = f(x).

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    What is Function Notation?

    Every see 'f(x)' in your math? That's function notation! It's a way to indicate that an equation is a function. Learn about function notation by watching this tutorial.

• Graph linear and quadratic functions and show intercepts, maxima, and minima.

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    What's the Y-Intercept?

    When you have a linear equation, the y-intercept is the point where the graph of the line crosses the y-axis. In this tutorial, learn about the y-intercept. Check it out!