Chapter 2: Problem 18
Sketch each equation. $$ p(t)=-2+3 t $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph of \( p(t) = -2 + 3t \) is a straight line with a y-intercept at \(-2\) and slope of 3, passing through points (0,-2) and (1,1).
Step by step solution
01
Identify Type of Equation
The equation given is in linear form: \( p(t) = -2 + 3t \). This is a classic slope-intercept form equation \( y = mx + b \), where \( m \) represents the slope and \( b \) represents the y-intercept.
02
Determine the Y-Intercept
Set \( t = 0 \) to find the y-intercept. When \( t = 0 \), the equation becomes \( p(0) = -2 + 3(0) = -2 \). Thus, the y-intercept is \( -2 \). Plot the point \((0, -2)\) on the graph.
03
Use Slope to Find Another Point
The slope \( m \) is 3, which means for every 1 unit increase in \( t \), \( p(t) \) increases by 3 units. From point \((0, -2)\), move 1 unit to the right and 3 units up to find another point \((1, 1)\). Plot this point.
04
Draw the Line
With the points \((0, -2)\) and \((1, 1)\) plotted, draw a straight line through these points. This line represents the equation \( p(t) = -2 + 3t \). Use a ruler to ensure that the line is straight.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Slope-Intercept Form
The slope-intercept form is a fundamental concept in understanding linear equations. It is written as \( y = mx + b \), where \( m \) represents the slope of the line and \( b \) represents the y-intercept. The slope-intercept form makes it easy to graph equations and understand how different values change the shape and position of the line.
- The slope \( m \) indicates the steepness or incline of the line.
- The y-intercept \( b \) shows where the line crosses the y-axis.
Graphing Linear Equations
Graphing linear equations involves representing the equation visually on a coordinate plane. In slope-intercept form, \( y = mx + b \), graphing becomes straightforward:
- Identify the y-intercept \( b \).
- Use the slope \( m \) to determine another point on the line.
- Plot the y-intercept on the y-axis.
- Use the slope to calculate the next point.
- Draw the line through these points.
Y-Intercept
The y-intercept \( b \) is the point where the line crosses the y-axis. It is crucial because it provides the starting point for graphing the line. To find the y-intercept from the equation \( y = mx + b \), simply set \( x = 0 \). For example, in the equation \( p(t) = -2 + 3t \), setting \( t = 0 \) gives us \( p(0) = -2 \). This means the line crosses the y-axis at \((0, -2)\). Understanding the y-intercept:
- It is always the constant term \( b \) in the expression \( y = mx + b \).
- Provides a fixed starting point for the line on the graph.
Slope
The slope \( m \) of a linear function determines the angle and direction of the line. It is found in the equation \( y = mx + b \) as the coefficient of the variable. The slope represents how much \( y \) changes for each unit increase in \( x \). For the function \( p(t) = -2 + 3t \), the slope is \( 3 \), indicating:
- For every increase of 1 in \( t \), \( p(t) \) increases by 3.
- A positive slope means the line rises as it moves to the right.
- A negative slope would imply the line falls to the right.