Chapter 3: Problem 11
Graph the given functions. $$y=\frac{1}{2} x-3$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Plot the points (0, -3) and (1, -2.5), then draw a line through them.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Function Form
The given function is a linear equation in the standard slope-intercept form, \(y = mx + b\), where \(m\) is the slope and \(b\) is the y-intercept. In this case, \(m = \frac{1}{2}\) and \(b = -3\).
02
Identify the Y-Intercept
The y-intercept of a linear function is the point where the graph intersects the y-axis. For the equation \(y = \frac{1}{2} x - 3\), the y-intercept is -3. This means the graph will pass through the point (0, -3).
03
Use the Slope to Find Another Point
The slope \(\frac{1}{2}\) indicates that for every 1 unit increase in \(x\), \(y\) increases by \(\frac{1}{2}\). Starting from the y-intercept (0, -3), move right 1 unit to \(x = 1\), then move up \(\frac{1}{2}\) unit to find the next point at (1, -2.5).
04
Plot Points on the Coordinate Plane
Plot the y-intercept (0, -3) and the point (1, -2.5) on a coordinate plane. These points are used to draw the line of the function.
05
Draw the Line
Draw a straight line through the points (0, -3) and (1, -2.5). This line represents the graph of the function \(y = \frac{1}{2} x - 3\). Extend the line across the plane, as the line continues indefinitely in both directions.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Slope-Intercept Form
Understanding how linear equations can be expressed is important when graphing them. The slope-intercept form of a linear equation is written as:
- \(y = mx + b\)
- The "slope" \(m\), which shows how steep the line is.
- The "y-intercept" \(b\), which tells us where the line crosses the y-axis.
Finding Y-Intercept
When dealing with linear functions, the y-intercept is a key point, marking where the line crosses the y-axis. In the slope-intercept form \(y = mx + b\), the \(b\) directly represents the y-intercept. For the function \(y = \frac{1}{2}x - 3\), the y-intercept is
- -3
Using Slope to Plot Points
The slope of a line indicates its direction and steepness. It is expressed as a ratio or fraction in the slope-intercept equation. In \(y = \frac{1}{2}x - 3\), the slope \(\frac{1}{2}\) tells us:
- For every 1 unit move in the positive x-direction, move \(\frac{1}{2}\) unit up in the y-direction.
Coordinate Plane
The coordinate plane is a two-dimensional surface where we plot and visualize mathematical functions. It's made up of two axes:
- The x-axis (horizontal)
- The y-axis (vertical)