Chapter 3: Problem 74
Find the slope and the y-intercept of the graph of each equation and graph it. See Examples 4 and 5. $$ 4 x-2 y=6 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The slope is 2 and the y-intercept is -3.
Step by step solution
01
Convert the Equation to Slope-Intercept Form
The slope-intercept form of a line is given by the equation \( y = mx + b \), where \( m \) is the slope and \( b \) is the y-intercept. We start with the equation \( 4x - 2y = 6 \). To convert this to the slope-intercept form, we must solve for \( y \). We will isolate \( y \) by moving \( 4x \) to the other side and then dividing by \(-2\). This gives us: \(-2y = -4x + 6\). Divide the entire equation by \(-2\): \[ y = 2x - 3 \].
02
Identify the Slope and Y-Intercept
Now that the equation is in the form \( y = mx + b \), we can identify the slope \( m \) and the y-intercept \( b \). From \( y = 2x - 3 \), the slope \( m \) is \( 2 \) and the y-intercept \( b \) is \(-3\).
03
Graph the Equation
To graph the equation, start by plotting the y-intercept on the y-axis. Plot the point \( (0, -3) \) since the y-intercept is \(-3\). From this point, use the slope to find another point on the line. A slope of \( 2 \) means you rise 2 units for every 1 unit you move to the right. From \( (0, -3) \), move up 2 units and 1 unit to the right to locate the point \( (1, -1) \). Draw a line through these two points to complete the graph.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Graphing Linear Equations
Graphing linear equations is a fundamental skill in algebra. The equation of a line gives us a direct way to sketch it on a graph. Understanding the structure of a linear equation helps to quickly identify key characteristics of the line. To graph a linear equation, such as the example given
- Step 1: Start by converting the given equation into slope-intercept form (if needed). This form makes it easier to identify crucial graphing features.
- Step 2: Plot the y-intercept on a coordinate plane.
- Step 3: Use the slope to find another point on the line.
- Step 4: Draw a line through the points to represent the equation.
Identifying Slope and Y-Intercept
The slope and y-intercept are two essential components of any linear equation. They determine the line's direction, steepness, and position on the graph. The slope-intercept form, which is written as \( y = mx + b \), makes it easy to spot these components:
- Slope \( (m) \): This is the number that represents the steepness or angle of the line. A positive slope climbs upwards as you move from left to right, while a negative slope descends.
- Y-Intercept \( (b) \): This is where the line crosses the y-axis. It's simply the value of \( y \) when \( x = 0 \).
Converting Equations to Slope-Intercept Form
Converting an equation into slope-intercept form is a valuable process that simplifies graphing and interpreting the equation's features. This form is especially useful because it allows direct identification of the slope and y-intercept. Let's break down the process using the example equation \( 4x - 2y = 6 \):
- First, rearrange the equation to solve for \( y \). This means moving the \( x \) term to the right side so you can isolate \( y \).
- In our example, this means rewriting the equation as \(-2y = -4x + 6\).
- Next, divide every term by the coefficient of \( y \), which in this case is -2, leading to \( y = 2x - 3 \).