The variable m refers to the slope, and the variable b refers to the y-intercept.
To find the slope, we use two points and the following formula.
[tex]m=\frac{y_2-y_1_{}}{x_2-x_1}[/tex]
Let's replace the points (-3, -13.8) and (-1, -12.6).
[tex]m=\frac{-12.6-(-13.8)}{-1-(-3)}=\frac{-12.6+13.8}{-1+3}=\frac{1.2}{2}=0.6[/tex]
The slope is m = 0.6.
This means y increases 0.6 while x increases 1 unit. So, for x = 0, we get -12 because -12.6 + 0.6 = -12.
Also, notice that x = 0 means the y-intercept.
Therefore, b = -12.
