A linear equation is drawn as a straight line on a set of axes. To draw the graph we need coordinates. We generate these coordinates by substituting values into the linear equation.

Learn how to calculate the equation of a line from a graph, work out the gradient from an equation, and visualise intercepts with this step-by step guide.

The top part of that image is the equation itself. The bottom part is a graph of the equation, which, as you can see, is exactly the same. To be fair, this equation cheats a little bit.