Equation of a Line: General Form

We have seen that the gradient intercept form of a line looks like this:

$y=mx+b$y=mx+b

From this form we can: 

• instantly visualise where the line is positioned on the number plane
• identify if the line is increasing or decreasing
• see the value of the gradient ($m$m)
• see the value of the $y$y intercept ($b$b)

Another useful form for the equation of a straight line is the general form.  It looks like this:

$ax+by+c=0$ax+by+c=0

In this form:

• All coefficients $a$a,$b$b and $c$c are integers
• The coefficient of $x$x is positive

Notice that in this form, the $y$y-intercept cannot be seen in the equation. We would have to substitute $x=0$x=0 to find it. 

The advantages of writing an equation in this form can be seen when:

• there are fractions involved in the equation ($y=\frac{-5x}{3}-\frac{2}{7}$y=−5x3​−27​ for example). Writing it in general form would be a tidier option.
• we need to find the point of intersection of two straight lines (and one or both equations involve fractions)

We can convert from one form to another by rearranging the equation.  Rearranging the equation is just like solving an equation: we carry out inverse operations to move terms from one side to another, or to change the sign from positive to negative.  Let me show you what I mean.

 

Example

Question 1

Rearrange $y=4x-8$y=4x−8 into general form.

$y=4x-8$y=4x−8   

Move all the terms to the same side, remembering to keep the coefficient of $x$x positive.

$4x-8-y=0$4x−8−y=0

 

Question 2

Rearrange $3x-6y+12=0$3x−6y+12=0 into gradient-intercept form.

$3x-6y+12=0$3x−6y+12=0  

To make $y$y the subject, we need to move the $x$x term and the constant to the other side. It would be preferable to keep the coefficient of $y$y positive.

$3x+12=6y$3x+12=6y  

We can now divide through by $6$6 to make $y$y the subject.

$\frac{1}{2}x+2$12​x+2	$=$=	$y$y
$y$y	$=$=	$\frac{1}{2}x+2$12​x+2

 

Question 3