How to Graph Linear Equations Using Standard Form

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video introduces Algebra students to the Standard Form of linear equations ($Ax + By = C$), identifying it as the third major form alongside Slope-Intercept and Point-Slope forms. The narrator, Justin, outlines the specific syntactic rules for this format, emphasizing that coefficients $A$, $B$, and $C$ must be integers and that $A$ typically must be non-negative. The video uses a friendly, animated style with clear on-screen text to define these parameters before moving into practical application. The core of the lesson demonstrates the primary advantage of Standard Form: the ease of finding x- and y-intercepts for graphing. Through step-by-step examples, the video shows how substituting zero for one variable allows for quick calculation of the other, resulting in two coordinate points that can be plotted to draw the line. This "intercept method" is presented as a faster, more efficient alternative to converting equations into Slope-Intercept form when specific conditions are met. Finally, the video addresses complex cases involving fractional coefficients, teaching students how to manipulate equations to satisfy Standard Form rules. By multiplying the entire equation by the denominator, the narrator demonstrates how to "clear fractions" to create clean integer coefficients. This video is an excellent resource for Algebra 1 classrooms, serving as both a conceptual introduction to linear forms and a procedural guide for graphing strategies and algebraic manipulation.