Key Concepts & Glossary
Key Concepts
- We can solve linear equations in one variable in the form using standard algebraic properties.
- A rational expression is a quotient of two polynomials. We use the LCD to clear the fractions from an equation.
- All solutions to a rational equation should be verified within the original equation to avoid an undefined term, or zero in the denominator.
- Given two points, we can find the slope of a line using the slope formula.
- We can identify the slope and y-intercept of an equation in slope-intercept form.
- We can find the equation of a line given the slope and a point.
- We can also find the equation of a line given two points. Find the slope and use the point-slope formula.
- The standard form of a line has no fractions.
- Horizontal lines have a slope of zero and are defined as , where c is a constant.
- Vertical lines have an undefined slope (zero in the denominator), and are defined as , where c is a constant.
- Parallel lines have the same slope and different y-intercepts.
- Perpendicular lines have slopes that are negative reciprocals of each other unless one is horizontal and the other is vertical.