- 1). Calculate the slope. If a linear equation was given in slope-intercept form (y=mx+b), then "m" is the slope of the function by definition. If given a set of points, pick two and plug them into the equation for slope, m = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1), where the points are (x1, y1) and (x2, y2).
- 2). Start the graph with a point you know. This can be (0, b), the y-intercept, if you were given an equation in slope-intercept form, or it could be a point you were given.
- 3). Use the slope, "m," to determine the next point. The value "m" is the rise over run. If it is an integer, then it is m/1. Rise over run indicates the number of units to count up and then the number of units to count over from the last point. Repeat the process of rise over run until you have a sufficient number of points to connect and draw a line.
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