
Nicole C. answered 11/27/12
Increase confidence in math and science, chemistry, algebra II
Get y by itself first (get it into slope-intercept form)
-x + 2y = 17
+x +x
2y = x + 17
2 2
y = x + 17
2 2
Remeber slope-intercept is: y = mx + b, and m = slope, and b = y-int
for your equation: m = 1/2, b = 17/2 = 8.5
On your graph paper:
Plot the point (0,8.5) --> your y-int is where the graph crosses the y-axis, the y-axis is where x is zero
From that point move up 1 (top of your slope fraction - up because it is positive), then right 2 (bottom of your slope fraction)
Regarding parallel and perpendicular lines:
Parallel lines will have the same slope and never touch
Ex: y = 3x + 2 and y = 3x - 5
Perpendicular lines will have slopes be the opposite reciprocal and will touch once at a 90 degree angle
Ex: y = 3x + 2 and y = -(1/3)x -5
Opposite Reciprocal:
Opposite means their signs are different, one has to be positive and one negative
Reciprocal: flip the fraction up-side-down. A 3x has a slope of 3 which is equal to 3/1.
The reciprocalof this is 1/3