- Solutions and Lines
- General form of a Linear Equation
- The Intercept Method of Graphing
- Graphing Using any Two or More Points
- Slanted, Horizontal, and Vertical Lines
Inside Collection (Textbook): Elementary Algebra
Summary: This module is from Elementary Algebra by Denny Burzynski and Wade Ellis, Jr. In this chapter the student is shown how graphs provide information that is not always evident from the equation alone. The chapter begins by establishing the relationship between the variables in an equation, the number of coordinate axes necessary to construct its graph, and the spatial dimension of both the coordinate system and the graph. Interpretation of graphs is also emphasized throughout the chapter, beginning with the plotting of points. The slope formula is fully developed, progressing from verbal phrases to mathematical expressions. The expressions are then formed into an equation by explicitly stating that a ratio is a comparison of two quantities of the same type (e.g., distance, weight, or money). This approach benefits students who take future courses that use graphs to display information. The student is shown how to graph lines using the intercept method, the table method, and the slope-intercept method, as well as how to distinguish, by inspection, oblique and horizontal/vertical lines. Objectives of this module: be able to relate solutions to a linear equation to lines, know the general form of a linear equation, be able to construct the graph of a line using the intercept method, be able to distinguish, by their equations, slanted, horizontal, and vertical lines.
We know that solutions to linear equations in two variables can be expressed as ordered pairs. Hence, the solutions can be represented by point in the plane. We also know that the phrase “graph the equation” means to locate the solution to the given equation in the plane. Consider the equation
| If | Then | Ordered Pairs |
| 0 | ||
| 1 | ||
| 2 | 1 | |
| 3 | 3 | |
| 4 | 5 |

We have plotted only six solutions to the equation

There is a standard form in which linear equations in two variables are written. Suppose that
is said to be in general form.
We must stipulate that
This statement is true only if
Now, we have the following:
The graphing of all ordered pairs that solve a linear equation in two variables produces a straight line.
This implies,
The graph of a linear equation in two variables is a straight line.
From these statements we can conclude,
If an ordered pair is a solution to a linear equations in two variables, then it lies on the graph of the equation.
Also,
Any point (ordered pairs) that lies on the graph of a linear equation in two variables is a solution to that equation.
When we want to graph a linear equation, it is certainly impractical to graph infinitely many points. Since a straight line is determined by only two points, we need only find two solutions to the equation (although a third point is helpful as a check).
When a linear equation in two variables is given in general from,

The point at which the line crosses the
The point at which the line crosses the
Since we are graphing an equation by finding the intercepts, we call this method the intercept method
Graph the following equations using the intercept method.
To find the
Thus, we have the point
To find the
Thus, we have the point
Construct a coordinate system, plot these two points, and draw a line through them. Keep in mind that every point on this line is a solution to the equation

To find the
Thus, we have the point
To find the
Thus, we have the point
Construct a coordinate system, plot these two points, and draw a line through them. Keep in mind that all the solutions to the equation

To find the
Thus, we have the point
To find the
Thus, we have the point
Construct a coordinate system, plot these two points, and draw a line through them.

Graph

When

The graphs we have constructed so far have been done by finding two particular points, the intercepts. Actually, any two points will do. We chose to use the intercepts because they are usually the easiest to work with. In the next example, we will graph two equations using points other than the intercepts. We’ll use three points, the extra point serving as a check.
We can find three points by choosing three
Since we are going to choose
| 1 | If | |
| If | ||
| 3 | If |
Thus, we have the three ordered pairs (points),

We solve for
| 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | ||
| 3 |

Notice that the
When an equation is given in the general form
Graph the following equations.






In all the graphs we have observed so far, the lines have been slanted. This will always be the case when both variables appear in the equation. If only one variable appears in the equation, then the line will be either vertical or horizontal. To see why, let’s consider a specific case:
Using the general form of a line,
Since
Thus,
becomes
But,
Then, solving for
This is an equation in which exactly one variable appears.
This means that regardless of which number we choose for
An argument similar to the one above will show that if the only variable that appears is
Graph
The only variable appearing is
| 4 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 0 | 4 | |
| 1 | 4 | |
| 2 | 4 | |
| 3 | 4 | |
| 4 | 4 |

Graph
The only variable that appears is
| 0 | ||
| 1 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4 |

Graph


Graph 

For the following problems, graph the equations.






































Construct the graph of all the points that have coordinates

Calculator Problems





((Reference)) Name the property of real numbers that makes
commutative property of addition
((Reference)) Supply the missing word. The absolute value of a number
from
((Reference)) Find the product
((Reference)) Solve the equation
((Reference)) Supply the missing word. The coordinate axes divide the plane into four equal regions called
.
quadrants
"Reviewer's Comments: 'I recommend this book for courses in elementary algebra. The chapters are fairly clear and comprehensible, making them quite readable. The authors do a particularly nice job […]"