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There are several methods to graph a linear equation.
The following diagrams show the different methods to graph a linear equation. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions.
In these lessons, we will learn
It takes only 2 points to draw a graph of a straight line. In other words, if we can find two points that satisfies the equation of the line, then the line can be accurately drawn. (You may plot more than two points to check)
Example:
Draw the line with equation y = 2x – 3
Solution:
Choose any value for x and substitute into the equation to get the corresponding value for y. If possible, try to choose values of x that will give whole numbers for y to make it easier to plot.
Step 1: Let x = 0
y = 2(0) – 3
y = – 3
Step 2: Let x = 2
y = 2(2) – 3
y = 1
Step 3: Plot the two points on the Cartesian plane
Step 4: Draw a straight line passing through the two points
How to use a t-table to graph linear equations?
Example:
Graph the line for
a) y = 2x - 4
b) y = -1/2 x + 2
How to graph a linear equation by plotting points?
Example:
Graph the line
3x + 6y = 18
The x-intercept is where the line crosses the x-axis. At this point, the y-coordinate is 0.
The y-intercept is where the line crosses the y-axis. At this point, the x-coordinate is 0.
When an equation is written in general form it is easier to graph the equation by finding the intercepts.
Step 1: Find the x-intercept, let y = 0 then substitute 0 for y in the equation and solve for x
Step 2: Find the y-intercept, let x = 0 then substitute 0 for x in the equation and solve for y
Step 3: Plot the intercepts, label each point, and draw a straight line through these points.
How to find intercepts and use intercepts to graph linear equation?
Examples:
How to graph Linear Functions by finding the X-Intercept and Y-Intercept of the Function?
Examples:
We can use the slope and y-intercept to graph a linear equation.
The slope-intercept form of an equation is
y = mx + b, where m is the slope of the line and b is the y-intercept.
How to graph an equation given in slope-intercept form?
Step 1: Find the y-intercept and plot the point.
Step 2: From the y-intercept, use the slope to find the second point and plot it.
Step 3: Draw a line to connect the two points.
What is the slope intercept formula and how to graph the equation?
Example:
Graph
a) y = 2x + 3
b) y = -2/3x - 2
How to graph a linear equation given in slope intercept form?
The equation y = mx + b is called the slope-intercept form of a line.
The equation represents a line where
m = slope
b = y-intercept (0, b)
Example:
Identify the slope and y-intercept. Graph.
a) y = -2/3 x + 1
b) y = 5x - 2
c) y = x
d) 3x - 2y = 8
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