Depending on your book, the standard form could be given as Ax + By + C = 0 OR

Ax + By = -C

This last one is what I learned for standard form. The first one is called a general form for a linear equation. In both, A, B, and C are integers (...-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3....)

y=1/2x-3

I think you mean y=(1/2)x-3, where the x is in the numerator of the fraction.

Lets get the x and y terms on the same side:

y=(1/2)x-3

y - (1/2)x = (1/2)x - (1/2)x -3

y - (1/2)x = -3

Almost there. That fraction won't do because its not an integer. Multiply both side by 2 to get rid of the 1/2:

2(y - (1/2)x) = 2(-3)

2y - x = -6

And that is the answer. Good luck.

Hi Rebekah,

I'm assuming the problem in stating y=½X-3

The first thing you would do is multiply everything on both sides by 2. What this will do is get rid of your fraction so that all the numbers are whole numbers. So, you should get

2y=x-6

Then you will subtract your x and 6 so that the equation will be equal to zero.

2y-x+6=0

And that should do it!

soMultipack first is get rid of fraction that is 1/2 so multiply each side by 2, you will get  2 (y) = 2 (x/2)- 2(3)

you will get    2y = x- 6

now you can take the x and y terms at one side

2y-x = -6

Than to solve further subtract 6 from both sides 

2y-x-6= -6-6

you will get. 2y-x -6 = 0

that is your answer.

The equation is slope intercept form y = mx + b to transform it into general form, simply multiply both sides by 2 .

2

2(y) = (1/2x - 3 ) 2     this two is from the denominator

2y = x - 6  the new equation       2y -x + 6 = x -x -6 + 6

2y -x + 6 = 0  the general form.