SOLUTION: Using the following equation, make a table and a graph ... y = -2x - 1 I am having trouble solving the equation, and graphing the results. Thanks.

Algebra ->  Graphs -> SOLUTION: Using the following equation, make a table and a graph ... y = -2x - 1 I am having trouble solving the equation, and graphing the results. Thanks.      Log On


   

Question 169716: Using the following equation, make a table and a graph ...
y = -2x - 1
I am having trouble solving the equation, and graphing the results.
Thanks.
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

In order to graph this equation, we only need two points to create a straight line




--------------------------------Let's find the first point--------------------------------

y=-2x-1 Start with the given equation




y=-2%280%29-1 Plug in x=0 (you can start with any number, but zero is the easiest number to work with since anything multiplied by zero is zero)




y=0-1 Multiply -2 and 0 to get 0




y=-1 Subtract



So when x=0, we have the value y=-1. This means we have the first point




--------------------------------Let's find the second point--------------------------------

y=-2x-1 Start with the given equation




y=-2%281%29-1 Plug in x=1




y=-2-1 Multiply -2 and 1 to get -2




y=-3 Subtract



So when x=1, we have the value y=-3. This means we have the second point




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So we have the two points: and


Now plot these two points on a coordinate system





Now draw a straight line through the two points. This line is the graph of y=-2x-1

Graph of y=-2x-1 through the two points and