Start here

Two rules: y = 2x + 9 and y = 5x + 3. Which one climbs faster?

Chapter 2 of Ganita Manjari is Introduction to Linear Polynomials. You will see which number does which job.

What you will learn

• Polynomial. An expression with whole-number powers, like the 2 in x².
• Degree. The highest power. The degree names the polynomial.
• Linear rule. y = ax + b. One input x, one output y.
• Table. Equal steps in give equal steps out.
• Points. Each pair is a point on a grid. For a linear rule, the points make a line.
• Slope. The number a in front of x. It sets the lean, how steep the line is.
• y-intercept. The number b on its own. It sets where the line cuts the y-axis, the up-and-down number line.
• Growth and decay. A rule can rise or fall. Each rule has limits.

Quick catch-up

Two earlier ideas help. You may skip them if you know them.

• Letters for numbers. An expression like 3x + 2.
• Powers. x² means x × x.

That is the whole track. Two numbers, two jobs.