Writing Linear Equations from Intercepts

The Organic Chemistry Tutor

This educational video provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to write the equation of a line in slope-intercept form ($y = mx + b$) when given the x and y-intercepts. The instructor uses a clear, black-background whiteboard style to demonstrate the process, starting with visualization and moving into algebraic calculation. Two specific examples are worked through: one involving a line with a negative slope and another with a positive slope. Key themes include coordinate geometry, the definition of intercepts, converting intercepts into ordered pairs (coordinates), calculating slope using the slope formula, and substituting values into the slope-intercept equation. The video explicitly addresses how to handle the zero values in coordinate pairs associated with axes intercepts. For the classroom, this video serves as an excellent procedural guide for Algebra 1 students. It bridges the gap between the visual representation of a line (where it crosses axes) and its abstract algebraic equation. Teachers can use this as a direct instructional tool for calculating slope from intercepts or as a remediation resource for students who struggle to translate geometric features into mathematical functions.