Step by step
The question
Question: write −4x + y = 1 as y = mx + b.
We want y by itself.
Then we can read m and b.
1 Remove the − 4x
We want y by itself.
The − 4x is in the way.
To remove − 4x, we add 4x.
We do it on both sides, so they stay equal.
− 4x and + 4x make zero.
Cross them out.
Write what is left.
1 and + 4x are not like terms.
They stay as they are.
We write the x part first, like in y = mx + b.
Each part keeps its sign.
y is by itself.
2 Read m and b
m is the number in front of x: 4.
It is the slope.
b is the number on its own: 1.
The line crosses the y-axis at 1.
That point is called the y-intercept.
3 Check
Let's check with a point.
Put x = −1 into y = 4x + 1.
We get y = −3.
Now put x = −1 and y = −3 into −4x + y.
We get 1, the same as the right side.
So the new equation is right!
Let's look back.
First: remove the − 4x.
Then: read m and b.
Last: check.