straight-line equations

noun

UK /ˌstreɪt laɪn ɪˈkweɪʒənz/

US /ˌstreɪt laɪn ɪˈkweɪʒənz/

A straight-line equation is a math rule that draws a perfectly straight line on a graph.

In class we learned how to plot straight-line equations on graph paper.

SYNONYMS

linear equations first-degree equations equations of lines linear relations

RELATED WORDS

slope intercept graph coordinates y = mx + b

OTHER MEANINGS

2. Equations whose graph forms a straight line because the variables have no exponents higher than one.

The teacher explained that straight-line equations always produce a straight graph, never a curve.

3. A way to describe a constant rate of change between two quantities.

The cost of taxi rides can be modeled with straight-line equations.

4. Algebraic statements that can be written in the form y = mx + c.

We rewrote the problem as one of the straight-line equations to find the slope.