document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=273014>Question 273014</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Can someone explain the steps to solve for y for graphing for linear equations?  I am having trouble with the equation y = -1/2x -4.  I can solve for y without any problem with the variables given for x, but for some reason I am not understanding how to solve for x when given the variable for y.  For example, I know that y is -1 and that the answer is -6, but I cannot seem to get the correct answer on my own.   </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #199524 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=199524\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Can someone explain the steps to solve for y for graphing for linear equations? I am having trouble with the equation y = -1/2x -4. <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "It is a linear equation.  You need two points to obtain a graph.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Let x = 0, then y = (-1/2)*0-4, y = -4 giving you point (0,-4)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Let x = 2, then y = (-1/2)*2-4, y = -1-4 = -5 giving you point (2,-5)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Plot those two points and draw a line thru them to get:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I can solve for y without any problem with the variables given for x, but for some reason I am not understanding how to solve for x when given the variable for y. For example, I know that y is -1 and that the answer is -6, but I cannot seem to get the correct answer on my own.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y = (-1/2)x-4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Solve for \"x\":<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2y = -x - 8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = -2y-8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "If you let y = -1, x= -2*-1-8 = 2-8 = -6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "If you let y = 5, x = -2*5-8 = -18<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. <BR>\n" );
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