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| Question 644270:  Graph the linear equation f(x)=-0.5x
 
 Answer by MathLover1(20850)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! To graph the linear equation you need two points on that line since any two points define a line. In the traditional Cartesian coordinate system, each of these points will be in the form (  ,  ) where  is the position of the point on the horizontal scale and  is its position on the vertical scale.
 
   Pick a value for
  . Any value can be used, but  is often convenient. Substitute this value for  in the equation and solve for  . In your example, the equation would become
  . The first point to be used to draw the line is situated at the  value you chose and the  value just calculated. The first point in this example would be at (0,0). Pick a value for
  . Any value can be used, but  is often convenient. Substitute this value for  in the equation and solve for  . In your example, the equation would become
  ..=>.  =>.  . The second point to be used to draw the line is situated at the  value you chose and the  value just calculated. The second point in this example would be at (0,0). Since first two points are in same spot, pick one more value for
  and find one more point, for example  . 
 
  The third point in this example would be at (
  ,  ). Using a straight edge, draw a line passing through both points (
  ,  ) and (  ,  ). This is the straight line defined by the linear equation. 
   
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