Ax + By + C = 0, what is A and B?

Discussion in 'Physics & Math' started by nicholas1M7, Jan 3, 2011.

  1. nicholas1M7

    nicholas1M7 Banned Banned

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    I'm getting contradictory information over the internet as to what A and B represent in the standard equation. Are they the x-intercept and the y-intercept? and which are which?
     
    nicholas1M7, Jan 3, 2011
    #1

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  3. temur

    temur man of no words Registered Senior Member

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    Substitute x=0 in the equation and see what y is. Then do the same for y=0.
     
    temur, Jan 3, 2011
    #2

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  5. Cifo

    Cifo Day destroys the night, Registered Senior Member

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    A and B are coefficients for the two variables when the x-and-y relationship is written in this polynomial form, where the sum of the terms (one for x, one for y, and one for the constant) equals 0.

    If you start with Ax + By + C = 0 and solve for y (so that you have the form y=mx+b), then you'll see how A and B relate to m and b.
     
    Cifo, Jan 3, 2011
    #3

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