1. The problem is to understand how to graph linear equations. 2. A linear equation in two variables $x$ and $y$ can be written as $y = mx + b$, where $m$ is the slope and $b$ is the y-intercept. 3. The slope $m$ tells us how steep the line is and the direction it goes: if $m$ is positive, the line rises; if negative, it falls. 4. The y-intercept $b$ is the point where the line crosses the y-axis (where $x=0$). 5. To graph a linear equation, first plot the y-intercept $(0, b)$ on the coordinate plane. 6. Then use the slope $m = \frac{\text{rise}}{\text{run}}$ to find another point: from the y-intercept, move up or down (rise) and right or left (run). 7. Draw a straight line through these points extending in both directions. 8. For example, for $y = 2x + 3$, plot $(0,3)$, then from there go up 2 units and right 1 unit to plot $(1,5)$, then draw the line through these points. 9. This method works for any linear equation in slope-intercept form.