Chapter 1: Problem 47
Find the slope and \(y\) -intercept of the line and draw its graph. $$y=4$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The slope is 0 and the y-intercept is 4.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Equation Type
The given equation is in the form of \( y = c \), where \( c \) is a constant. This type of equation represents a horizontal line on the Cartesian plane.
02
Determine the Slope
For any horizontal line described by \( y = c \), the slope is \( 0 \). This is because horizontal lines do not rise or fall, so the rate of change in \( y \) with respect to \( x \) is zero.
03
Identify the y-intercept
The \( y \)-intercept is the point where the line crosses the \( y \)-axis. For the equation \( y = 4 \), the \( y \)-intercept is at \( (0, 4) \). This means the line crosses the \( y \)-axis at \( y = 4 \).
04
Draw the Graph
Draw a horizontal line that passes through \( y = 4 \) on the graph. This line extends infinitely in both positive and negative \( x \)-directions and remains constant vertically at \( y=4 \). The graph should be a straight horizontal line parallel to the \( x \)-axis.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Slope
The slope of a line is an essential concept in understanding linear equations and graphing. It tells us how steep a line is, or in mathematical terms, the rate at which one variable changes with respect to another.
- The Definition: The slope is the ratio of the vertical change (rise) to the horizontal change (run) between two points on a line. It's often represented by the letter "m" and can be calculated using the formula: \( m = \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x} \). In this formula, \(\Delta y\) represents the change in the \(y\)-values, and \(\Delta x\) represents the change in the \(x\)-values.
- Horizontal Lines: For horizontal lines, such as the one given by \(y = 4\), the slope is \(0\). This is because there is no change in the \(y\)-value regardless of the \(x\)-value, meaning the rise is zero.
y-intercept
The y-intercept is where a line crosses the y-axis on a graph. It's a critical point in understanding a line's position and behavior on the Cartesian plane.
- Identifying the y-intercept: In any equation of the form \(y = mx + c\), the constant "c" is the \(y\)-intercept. For equations like \(y = 4\), which don't have an "x" variable, the y-intercept is simply the constant number itself. Here, the line crosses the \(y\)-axis at the point \((0, 4)\).
- Visualizing the y-intercept: On a graph, imagine dropping a vertical line down to where the main line touches the \(y\)-axis. With the line \(y = 4\), this point is unmistakably at 4 on the \(y\)-axis.
Cartesian Plane
The Cartesian plane is the backdrop against which we graph equations and visualize mathematical relationships.
- The Layout: It is a two-dimensional surface defined by two perpendicular number lines, the \(x\)-axis (horizontal) and the \(y\)-axis (vertical). The point where they intersect is the origin, labeled \((0, 0)\).
- Graphing Lines: On this plane, every linear equation represents a line. Horizontal lines, such as \(y = 4\), are parallel to the \(x\)-axis, and they span across this plane without changing height, showcasing a unique use of the space.
- Plotting Points and Lines: Point coordinates are given as \((x, y)\) values, indicating their position relative to the origin. For \(y = 4\), you can plot several points like \((1, 4), (2, 4), (-3, 4)\), and connect them to form the line.