What does the "M" & "B" stand for in Y=MX+B?
i know what they represent, but what do the letters actually stand for?
THOMAS A: did you even read my question?
16 Answers
- Joy MLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
Those letter are simply arbitrary, they don't actually stand for anything. You could replace with any other letters (other than x or y, of course) and the equation would be exactly the same. In fact, some teachers, instructors, professors do use other letters than m and b.
- 1 decade ago
The letters M and B are representative of values and could be just about anything. They are a algebriac expression which represents angles. In your formula the X plane is horizontal and the Y plane is vertical. Because you are using the ordered pairs X and Y I assume that you are working with planes. Consider Y=2X+5 The bar on the plane changes the M/B value as it is moved. X and Y are constants and M and B are variables.
- 1 decade ago
M stand for the slope of the line i.e the angle it makes with the X axis measured in anticlockwise direction
B stands for the the length of the imtercept it cuts with the Y-axis
- 1 decade ago
In math, the variable M stands for slope (y2-y1 divided by x2-x1) and the b stands for the y-intercept, which is the coordinate at which the graph of a line intersects the y-axis. (y-axis goes up and down)
Hope this helps =]
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- Anonymous1 decade ago
The letters don't stand for anything.
They're just variables.
If that's what you're asking.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
M means the slope and b is y intercept( where the point hits the line on the y axis!)
Good luck!
Source(s): Me a freshmen in gemotry! - All hatLv 71 decade ago
Amazing how many people don't respond to what you ask - but that doesn't stop them from responding just the same.
I don't know why we use M and B instead of any other letters.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
m is slope
b is yintercept
i guess i didnt read your question either...sorry yeah i dont think they actually stand for anything . i hate math!!
- 1 decade ago
I dont know for sure but this might be able to help a little http://www.georgeaugustkoch.com/Writings/Slope.htm
- 1 decade ago
the letters don't stand for anything its just there so its not all xs
Source(s): high school freshman