Algebra

Confusing the Slope and the y-Intercept in y = mx + b

Reading the wrong number as the slope in slope-intercept form.

Quick check

Why students make it

Both $m$ and $b$ are just numbers in the equation, so without remembering their roles it is easy to swap them.

The rule done right

In $y = mx + b$ , $m$ is the slope, the number multiplied by $x$ , and $b$ is the y-intercept, the constant added on.

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