Chapter 2: Problem 6
Graphing Functions Sketch a graph of the function by first making a table of values. $$f(x)=4-2 x$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Plot points for selected x-values, draw a line through them to sketch the linear graph.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the function
The function given is a linear function in the form \( f(x) = 4 - 2x \). This means it has a slope of -2 and a y-intercept of 4.
02
Choose values for x
Select a range of x-values to substitute into the function. For example, choose \(x = -1, 0, 1, 2, 3\) to get a clear picture of the graph.
03
Create the table of values
Calculate the corresponding y-values for each chosen x-value:- If \(x = -1\), then \( f(-1) = 4 - 2(-1) = 6 \).- If \(x = 0\), then \( f(0) = 4 - 2(0) = 4 \).- If \(x = 1\), then \( f(1) = 4 - 2(1) = 2 \).- If \(x = 2\), then \( f(2) = 4 - 2(2) = 0 \).- If \(x = 3\), then \( f(3) = 4 - 2(3) = -2 \).
04
Plot the points on a graph
Using the table of values, plot the points \((-1, 6), (0, 4), (1, 2), (2, 0), (3, -2)\) on a coordinate plane.
05
Draw the graph
Connect the plotted points with a straight line, extending it in both directions, since linear functions have infinite length in both directions. Ensure the line reflects the slope of -2.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
linear equations
A linear equation is like a straight highway; it goes in one constant direction. In math, a linear equation refers to an equation that creates a straight line when graphed. The standard form of a linear equation is often given as \(y = mx + b\), where \(m\) represents the slope and \(b\) is the y-intercept.
Here are some keys to understanding linear equations:
Here are some keys to understanding linear equations:
- They have no exponents higher than one. This means terms like \(x^2\) or \(x^3\) won't appear in a linear equation.
- When graphed, they will always produce a straight line.
- The relationship between the variables is proportional, which is why the equation gives a constant slope.
slope-intercept form
The slope-intercept form is a way of writing linear equations, which makes it easy to identify important features of the line quickly. It's written as \( y = mx + b \).
The components of this form are:
The components of this form are:
- \(m\) is the slope of the line, showing the steepness and direction of the line. In the equation \( y = -2x + 4 \), the slope is \(-2\). A negative slope means the line goes downwards from left to right.
- \(b\) is the y-intercept, which is where the line crosses the y-axis. In our example, the y-intercept is \(4\), meaning the line hits the y-axis at the point \((0, 4)\).
coordinate plane
The coordinate plane is a two-dimensional surface on which points are plotted. It’s like a large map divided into four quadrants by the x-axis (horizontal line) and the y-axis (vertical line). Understanding how to use this plane is essential for graphing linear functions.
Key features to know about the coordinate plane:
Key features to know about the coordinate plane:
- The point where the x-axis and y-axis intersect is called the origin, located at \((0, 0)\).
- Any point on the coordinate plane is described by an ordered pair \((x, y)\).
- When you plot a function, you place each point by moving 'x' units horizontally and 'y' units vertically, starting from the origin.
table of values
A table of values is a simple way to generate points that can be plotted on the coordinate plane to visualize a linear equation. It involves choosing x-values, calculating their corresponding y-values, and writing them down as coordinate pairs.
Creating a table of values:
Creating a table of values:
- Choose some x-values, either randomly or within a specific range.
- Substitute each x-value into the linear equation to find the y-value.
- Record the results as ordered pairs \((x, y)\).