How to graph a linear function

Click For Summary
To graph linear functions, identify two points that satisfy each equation and plot them on the coordinate plane. For equations like x=-3, plot points where x is consistently -3, while for y=-1, plot points where y is consistently -1. In cases like x-y=2, calculate y for different x values to find points, and vice versa. Each linear equation represents a straight line, so connecting the plotted points will yield the graph. Understanding that each equation defines a relationship between x and y is crucial for accurate graphing.
Mt. Nixion
Messages
47
Reaction score
1
I am doing this worksheet where I have to graph the following,

1.

A. x=-3
B. y=-1
C. x-y=2
D.x+y=6

2.

A. y=x
B.y=-x
C.y=2x-6
D.y=-1/2x-6

I know you don't do the homework for other people, but could you show me how to do these please?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Here's the important hint: every one of those functions is linear. Each graph is a straight line. Two points determine a straight line. Determine the y value for two different values of x, plot the points, draw the line throught those two points.

For example, in 1c) when x= 1, the equation x-y= 2 becomes 1- y= 2. What is y? when x= 0, the equation becomes 0-y= 2. What is y?

Don't forget that an equation means exactly what it says. For 1b) the equation is y= -1 which doesn't have an x in it! When x= 0, what is y? When x= 1, what is y?

The one "hard" one is the very first: 1a) x= -3. Since you are told that x must be -3, it makes no sense to ask "if x= 0, what is y?" But you can do it the other way around: When y= 0, what is x? Plot that point. When y= 1, what is x? Plot that point. Draw the line through those points.
 
I do not quite understood what you said, HallsofIvy. Could you give some more detail or can anyone else help me?
 
For ALL these exercises, you are to plot ALL points in the x,y-plane satisfying the given equation (ideally, that is).

Taking the first:
If you plot ALL points in the x,y-plane whose x-coordinates are all equal to -3 (that's what the equation requries), and no other points, what sort of curve do you end up with?
 
Mt. Nixion said:
I do not quite understood what you said, HallsofIvy. Could you give some more detail or can anyone else help me?

What DO you know how to do? Can you graph a single point?

Take a look at x- y= 2. When x= 0 what is y? Can you plot that point: (0, __)? When y= 0 what is x? Can you graph that point: (__, 0)?

If you can do that, draw the line through those two points.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
21
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K