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
Lines
Problem 41b
Textbook Question
Find the slope and y-intercept of each line, and graph it. x+2y = -4
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1
Step 1: The first step is to rewrite the equation in slope-intercept form, which is y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. To do this, we need to isolate y. So, we subtract x from both sides of the equation to get 2y = -x - 4.
Step 2: Next, we divide every term by 2 to solve for y. This gives us y = -1/2x - 2.
Step 3: Now that we have the equation in slope-intercept form, we can identify the slope and the y-intercept. The coefficient of x is the slope, so the slope (m) is -1/2. The constant term is the y-intercept, so the y-intercept (b) is -2.
Step 4: To graph the line, we start by plotting the y-intercept, which is the point (0, -2) on the y-axis.
Step 5: From the y-intercept, we use the slope to find the next point. The slope is -1/2, which means we go down 1 unit and to the right 2 units from the y-intercept. This gives us another point on the line. We can then draw a straight line through these two points to graph the line.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Slope-Intercept Form
The slope-intercept form of a linear equation is expressed as y = mx + b, where m represents the slope and b represents the y-intercept. This form is useful for quickly identifying the slope and y-intercept of a line, making it easier to graph. To convert an equation into this form, you isolate y on one side of the equation.
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Slope-Intercept Form
Slope
The slope of a line measures its steepness and direction, calculated as the change in y over the change in x (rise over run). A positive slope indicates the line rises from left to right, while a negative slope indicates it falls. Understanding slope is crucial for interpreting the relationship between variables in a linear equation.
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Types of Slope
Y-Intercept
The y-intercept of a line is the point where the line crosses the y-axis, represented by the coordinate (0, b) in the slope-intercept form. It indicates the value of y when x is zero. Identifying the y-intercept is essential for graphing linear equations, as it provides a starting point on the graph.
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Graphing Intercepts
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