Why is y intercepts variable b?

0 ⤊

Why is y intercepts variable b?

Renee DesCartes was a famous mathmetician but I want to know why call y-intercept b in an equation?

2006-11-09 10:03:48 · 2 answers · asked by Mr.Anonymous 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics

2 answers

it is natural to write the equation of st.line as y=ax+b (now common form is y=mx+c; this has its own story!)

so if x=0, y=b

2006-11-10 05:20:17 · answer #1 · answered by m s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋

Unless you have a better letter for it, I suggest you accept b as the y intercept.......!

It's only for the equation of a straight, non-vertical line. There are so many other curves that can be drawn; why pick on this tiny sub-category?

2006-11-09 10:10:57 · answer #2 · answered by Steve 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋