How To: Describe a linear system without graphing

This tutorial looks at how to describe a linear system without actually graphing it. In order to do that, you will need to convert both equations of a problem into the Y=mx+b format. Once you have done this, you will be analyzing the m and b values. There are a few rules to follow. If the slopes (or m) and the Y intercepts (or b) are equal, there are an infinite number of solutions (or dependent equations). A second rule is if the slopes are equal and the Y intercepts are different, then the equation would be called inconsistent. The third rule, or possibility, is if there are different slopes. In this case, it would not matter what the values of Y are. This means there is one solution. Follow the rules in this video tutorial to learn how to describe a linear system as dependent, inconsistent, or one solution without having to graph it.