Some situations can be represented by a linear equation.
Linear equations have a constant rate of change.
In a linear equation of the form y = mx + b, m is the rate
of change or slope, and b is the initial value or y-intercept.
			
			
			
				
				First, find the rate of change. Parking costs $1.50 for each additional hour, so the rate of change is $1.50 per hour.
				
			
				
				Next, find the initial value. The airport charges $2 for the first hour of parking, so the initial value is $2.
				
			
				
				Write an equation where 
m = 1.5 and 
b = 2.
y = 1.5x + 2
				
				In this situation, the slope, or rate of change, is 2.75, and the
y-intercept, or initial value, is 10.
				
			
				
				The rate of change is multiplied by the distance, x, to find the cost.
So, the slope represents the cost per mile, which is $2.75 per mile.
				
			
				
				The initial value is the cost before the letter is carried any distance.
So, the y-intercept represents the service fee, which is $10.