GRAPHING LINEAR EQUATION

Introduction

Graphing is a huge topic in Algebra. No matter what type of equations

you study, you should know how to graph them. In previous lesson, linear

equation can be written in the form of Ax + By = C or y = mx + b, wherein the

highest degree exponent is one. The graph of a linear equation is always a

straight line. In Geometry, two points determine a line. That’s why, two points

are enough to draw the graph of linear equation. The line represents all the

solutions of the linear equation. And with that, every ordered pair on this line

satisfies the equation.

Content

Linear equations play an important role in our lives. A lot of things around us

form a straight-line pattern. Imagine the dotted figure below as the stairway

steps in going up the lighthouse in the picture. What would happen to you if

these steps were not equally distanced?

 These steps represent points on the Cartesian coordinate plane whose

coordinates are (-3,-2), (-2,-1), (-1,0), (0,1), (1,2) and (2,3).

We can say that the second coordinate (y) is one unit more than the first

coordinate (x) and can be represented by the equation y = x + 1. When these

points are connected, you will form a straight line.

We can now say that the graph of a linear equation in two variables is a

straight line. The line represents all the solutions of the linear equation. And

with that, every ordered pair on this line satisfies the equation.

1. Using the slope and the y -intercept.

The equation 3x – 2y = 4 when transformed in the form y = mx + b will give us y

=3/2 x – 2. The slope (m) of the equation is 3/2 and the y–intercept (b) is -2.

The equation 3x – 2y = 4 of the form y =3/2 x – 2 can now be graphed using m

=run/rise =3/2 and the y – intercept = -2.

Procedure:

Find at least 3 points contained in the graph of 3x – 2y = 4.

1. Locate the y-intercept, -2 at the y-axis. Mark the point associated with this.

2. Starting from the y-intercept move 3 units upward (rise) and from this

position move 2 units to the right (run). Mark this point.

3. Move again from this point using the value of the slope. Mark this point.

4. Connect the points with a straight line. Use 3 points.

Try these!

Graph the following linear equations using the slope – intercept method.

1. x + y = 3

2. 5x – y = 3

3. x + y = 4

4. 2x + y = 3

5. -4x + y = - 6

2. Using the x - and y - Intercepts

The equation 3x – 2y = 6 can be graphed using the x and y intercepts.

From our previous discussion, the x-intercept is the abscissa of the point (x, 0)

and the y-intercept is the ordinate of the point (0, y).

This means that in the equation 3x –2y = 6, when y = 0, x = 2 and when x = 0,

y = -3. Therefore, the x – intercept 2 is the abscissa of the point (2, 0) and the y

–intercept -3 is the ordinate of the point (0, -3). Using the values of the x - and

y - intercepts, the equation 3x – 2y = 6 can now be graphed.

Follow the procedure in graphing.

1. Locate the x – intercept = 2 in the x – axis. Mark the point (2, 0).

2. Locate the y – intercept = -3 in the y –axis. Mark the point (0, -3).

3. Connect the points with a line.

Try these!

Graph the line using the intercepts.

1. (0, -4) and (5, 0)

2. (-6, 0) and (0, -7)

3. (0, 8) and (4, 0)

4. (3, 0) and (0, 3)

5. (0, -4) and (-3, 0)

3. Using Any Two Points

In Geometry, two points determine a line. That’s why, two points are enough to

draw the graph of linear equation. Aside from the points associated with the

intercepts, two points on the Cartesian coordinate plane can be used to show

the graph of a linear equation in two variables.

Example:

Graph the line passing through points

(-2, 1) and (3, 4)

Procedure:

Locate the points on the Cartesian coordinate plane and draw a line connecting

the points.

Try These!

Graph the line passing through the given points.

1. (3, 5) and (7, 1)

2. (4, 2) and (1, 0)

3. (-2, -3) and (2, 5)

4. (6, 4) and (5, 3)

5. (-1, 3) and (4, -6)

4. Using the slope and a Point

The graph of a linear equation can be drawn using the slope and a point on the

line.

Example: Graph the line whose slope is 2/3 and passing through (-3, 2).

Procedure:

1. Locate point (-3, 2).

2. From (-3, 2), move 2 units vertically and 3 units horizontally.

Try These!

Graph the line with the given slope and passing through the indicated point.

1. m = 3, (0, 2)

2. m = 4, (-5, -6)

3. m = -1, (0, -1)

4. m = 2/3 , (5, 0)

5. m =3/4 , (1,3)