document.write( "Question 143227: How do I graph an equation such as y = 1/4x + -5 ? Do I simply graph the y intercept (0,-5) then start with the neg 5 go up 1 and over 4 ? Meaning that rise over run stuff? Please advise.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Also, to find my 2nd set of coordinates do I let x= 0; solve for y - then y=0 solve for x ? Please advise. I'm stressin \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #104217 by solver91311(24713) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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Yes, 'that rise over run stuff' will work just fine in this case. You can also select a different value for x (4 would work out quite neatly) and then calculate the resulting y. This would give you a second point, (4, whatever y turns out to be). Plot that point and then draw your line through the two points.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Letting x = 0, then solve for y (which is the same thing as examining the 'b' part of $\"y=mx%2Bb\"$ , by the way) and then letting y = 0 and solving for x is a perfectly legitimate way to find two points that define a line. But there is no reason (other than simplification of the arithmetic) that you need to find the intercept points specifically. You can select any value you like for x and then solve for y. The only thing you need to remember is that you need to find 2 points somewhere to define a straight line. \n" ); document.write( "

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