when graphing linear equations (y=mx+b) b is the y-intercept which means the first point is (0,b) and m is the slope. when there is no number before x it is an understood 1x. Slope is rise over run which means up and to the right. If negative it is down and to the right. In this equation the first point is (0,-4) and since the slope is 1 you go up 1 and to the right 1 from that point on. example of points are (1,-3),(2,-2), (3,-1) ect.