document.write( "Question 250727: I am a little lost at graphing linear equations. could you explain to me the whole concept of how to graph a linear equation? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #182598 by blwinbbbles(106)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! Ok..a linear equation is expressed by the following y = mx + b\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "with x and y being the pair cordinates, m = slope and b is the y-intercept (the point where the line crosses the y axis and x = 0)\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "the standard form is expressed by the following Ax + By = C\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "These forms can be converted back and forth with simple algebra.\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "What you will need to graph the line is at least two points. So the easiest way to do the is pick a x and solve for y. I always pick x to be -1, 0 or 1\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "For example:\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "if your equation is y = 3x + 2 if I say x = 0, then:\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "y = 3(0) + 2 \n" ); document.write( "y = 2 \n" ); document.write( "so your first pair would be (0, 2)\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "then use x = 1 \n" ); document.write( "y = 3(1) + 2 \n" ); document.write( "y = 3 + 2 \n" ); document.write( "y = 5 \n" ); document.write( "then my second pair would be (1, 5)\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "If I put those on a graph and connect the two points with a line..I have now graphed the linear equation..\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps \n" ); document.write( " |