What does a linear function's graph resemble?

A linear function is defined by an equation of the form ( y = mx + b ), where ( m ) represents the slope and ( b ) is the y-intercept. When graphed, this equation produces a straight line, which illustrates the fundamental property of linearity: the relationship between the independent variable (x) and the dependent variable (y) is constant.

The slope ( m ) indicates how steep the line is, while the y-intercept ( b ) tells us where the line crosses the y-axis. Because a linear function relates to invariable changes in ( y ) relative to changes in ( x ), the graph maintains a consistent direction and angle without any curvatures or bends. This characteristic is what distinctly sets linear functions apart from other types of functions, such as quadratic or exponential functions, which involve curves and non-linear behavior.