y = (x/4) - 1 ...how do you find x and y for graphing when there is a fraction like this?

Question

how do you graph and equation when one of the axis is being used in a fraction?

Answer 1

We can use the slope and y-intercept of the equation to graph the line.  The points that you plot on the coordinate system will be in the form (x, y).

 

If we rewrite the given equation in slope-intercept form, we have

 

y = (1/4)x - 1

 

Slope = 1/4

y-intercept = -1

 

First we plot the y-intercept.  The y-intercept is the value of y when x=0 automatically.  Therefore, the first point is (0, -1).

 

To find another point, we use the slope of the line and the first point as a reference.  Slope is the distance in y over the distance in x.  According to our slope, we will move 4 units to the right from the first point, and 1 unit up.  When we do this, we get the second point of (4, 0).

 

Next, plot these two points on the coordinate system and connect them in a straight line throughout the coordinate system.  This line that you just drew represents the x and y values of the equation of a line.