Table of contents
- 0. Review of Algebra4h 16m
- 1. Equations & Inequalities3h 18m
- 2. Graphs of Equations43m
- 3. Functions2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 44m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Systems of Equations & Matrices4h 6m
- 8. Conic Sections2h 23m
- 9. Sequences, Series, & Induction1h 19m
- 10. Combinatorics & Probability1h 45m
2. Graphs of Equations
Two-Variable Equations
Problem 48
Textbook Question
In Exercises 47–50, write each English sentence as an equation in two variables. Then graph the equation. The y-value is the difference between four and twice the x-value.

1
Identify the variables: Let \( y \) be the y-value and \( x \) be the x-value.
Translate the English sentence into an equation: 'The y-value is the difference between four and twice the x-value' can be written as \( y = 4 - 2x \).
Recognize that this equation is in the form of a linear equation \( y = mx + b \), where \( m \) is the slope and \( b \) is the y-intercept.
Determine the slope and y-intercept: From \( y = 4 - 2x \), the slope \( m = -2 \) and the y-intercept \( b = 4 \).
Graph the equation: Start by plotting the y-intercept (0, 4) on the graph, then use the slope \( -2 \) (which means down 2 units for every 1 unit to the right) to plot another point, and draw the line through these points.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Linear Equations
Linear equations are mathematical statements that express a relationship between two variables, typically in the form y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. In this context, the equation represents a straight line on a graph, illustrating how changes in one variable affect the other.
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Translating English Sentences to Equations
Translating English sentences into mathematical equations involves identifying the relationships and operations described in the sentence. In this case, the phrase 'the y-value is the difference between four and twice the x-value' can be expressed mathematically as y = 4 - 2x, where the operations of subtraction and multiplication are clearly defined.
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Graphing Linear Equations
Graphing linear equations involves plotting points on a coordinate plane that satisfy the equation. For the equation y = 4 - 2x, one can calculate y-values for various x-values, plot these points, and draw a straight line through them, visually representing the relationship between x and y.
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