what is the answer to graph this as a linear equation y=-1/2x-5

Question

how do you graph y=-1/2x-5 

Answer 1

This equation is in slope intercept form. 

 

The y-intercept is -5, which is when x=0

 

The slope being negative, the line goes down as you progress to the right on the x-axis, and up as you go left on the x-axis.

 

Since slope is rise over run and m=-1/2 indicates you progress two units to the right of the x-axis, you progress down one unit on the y-axis. Hence, here's a few points I'll give you to start connecting the dots.

 

(0,-5), (2,-6), (4,-7), and so on.

 

If you're not sure on how to graph an equation, my teacher I had always would say, "make a table of x's and y's." 

Answer 2

You have a linear equation in the "slope-intercept" form y = mx + b.

In this form, the constant by itself (b) represents the y-intercept, and the coefficient of x (m) represents the slope of the line (rise over run.)

 

y = (-1/2)x - 5

For this line, you have b = -5  and m = -1/2.

You can start graphing by plotting the point (0,b) -> (0, -5)

From there, use the slope to find the next point.

 

For m = -1/2, you have either rise=-1 and run=2 or rise=1 and run=-2.

From the point (0, -5), you can rise -1 (go down 1) and run 2 (go right 2) to find a new point (2, -6)

You can also rise 1 (up 1) and run -2 (left 2) to find a 3rd point. (-2, -4)

 

All of these points lie in a straight line, which you can use a straightedge to connect, and you've got the graph of the line you wanted!