Linear Graphs in Machine Learning: Explained

Explore linear graphs in machine learning, including the key concepts, practical examples, important considerations, and useful guidance.

The line graph shows the values of a linear function: y = ax + b

Keywords:

• Linear
• Slope (Corner)
• Intercept (Starting value)

Linear

Linear means straight. A linear graph is a straight line.

The graph consists of two axes: the x-axis (horizontal) and the y-axis (vertical).

For example:

const xValues = []; const yValues = []; // Generate values for (let x = 0; x <= 10; x += 1) { xValues.push(x); yValues.push(x); } // Define Data const data = [{ x: xValues, y: yValues, mode: "lines" }]; // Define Layout const layout = {title: "y = x"}; // Display using Plotly Plotly.newPlot("myPlot", data, layout);

Slope

Slope is the angle of a graph.

Slope is the value of 'a' in the linear graph: y = ax

In this example, slope = 1.2:

For example:

let slope = 1.2; const xValues = []; const yValues = []; // Generate values for (let x = 0; x <= 10; x += 1) { xValues.push(x); yValues.push(x * slope); } // Define Data const data = [{ x: xValues, y: yValues, mode: "lines" }]; // Define Layout const layout = {title: "Slope=" + slope}; // Display using Plotly Plotly.newPlot("myPlot", data, layout);

Intercept

Intercept is the starting value of the graph.

Intercept is the value of b in the linear graph: y = ax + b

In this example, slope = 1.2 and intercept = 7:

For example:

let slope = 1.2; let intercept = 7; const xValues = []; const yValues = []; // Generate values for (let x = 0; x <= 10; x += 1) { xValues.push(x); yValues.push(x * slope + intercept); } // Define Data const data = [{ x: xValues, y: yValues, mode: "lines" }]; // Define Layout const layout = {title: "Slope=" + slope + " Intercept=" + intercept}; // Display using Plotly Plotly.newPlot("myPlot", data, layout);