A straight line graph has an equation of y = mx + c, where m is the gradient of the graph and c is the y-intercept of the graph, ie. the point at which the line crosses the y-axis. The gradient of the line can be calculated using: m = change in y/change in x. Another equation that can be used to find the equation of a straight line is y − y₁ = m(x − x₁), where m is the gradient of the graph and the graph passes through the point (x₁, y₁).

A quadratic equation is written in the form y = ax² + bx + c. To find the equation of a quadratic from its graph, the values of a, b and c must be calculated. To do so, three points on the graph must be known. These can be substituted in the general form of a quadratic, which would give 3 equations that can be solved simultaneously to find the values of a, b and c.

Systems of simultaneous equations can be solved by graphing: the solutions to the system will be the points of intersection on their graphs.

Graphs that involve negative quadratic equations and cubic equations can be solved just as linear and quadratic equations. The typical shapes of a negative quadratic and cubic graphs are given in the diagram.