Math Arguments

What's the 'b' value called?

Anybody else object to calling the y-intercept the "starting value"? Isn't it the "starting value" only **sometimes**? If the starting value is b, then what happens when x < 0???

What's your thinking on this?

What about in this case:

Our situation was looking at temperatures for skydivers-- it doesn't make sense that the skydivers would "start" their dive at 63.4 degrees, it only makes sense in context with consideration to the coordinate itself.