SOLUTION: When the vaule b is less than 8 a is negative. please explain this answer. a=1/2b-4 show work, thanks need help

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Question 3586: When the vaule b is less than 8 a is negative. please explain this answer.
a=1/2b-4 show work, thanks need help
Answer by longjonsilver(2297) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
your equation should be written as a=%281%2F2%29b+-+4 first. What you wrote is misleading.

if a was zero... what value of b is required to give this? Let's find out:

0=%281%2F2%29b+-+4
%281%2F2%29b+=+4
b = 8

So, since this equation is a straight line (if plotted), see here:

graph%28200%2C200%2C-4%2C20%2C-10%2C10%2Cy=%281%2F2%29x+-+4%29

any value of b less than 8 will make a negative.

Jon.