12.

2 Graphing Linear Equations 679

12.2 Graphing Linear Equations OBJECTIVE

A linear equation is equivalent to an equation of the type Ax + By = C. WNe
After finishing Section 12.2, you should
now learn how to graph certain kinds of linear equations. We will see that be able to
the graphs of linear equations are straight lines.
Determine whether an ordered pair
of numbers is a solution of an
equation with two variables.
alSolutions of Equations
bGraph equations of the type
An equation with two variables has ordered pairs of numbers for solutions. y= mx and y = mx +b.
If not directed otherwise, we usually take the variablesin
alphabetical order. FOR EXTRA HELP
Then we get ordered pairs for solutions.

EXAMPLE 1 Determine whether (-3, -5) is a solution of y = 2x + 1.

Tape 24E
We substitute:
y 2x + 1
-5 23) + 1 We substitute -3 for x and -5 for y 1. Determine whether (2, 3) isa
(alphabetical order of variables). solution of y = 2x + 3.

-6+1
-5

Since the equation becomes true, (-3, -5) is a solution.

Similarly, in Example 1 we can show that (3, 7) and (0, 1) are solutions.
In fact, there are more solutions than we can list: There is an infinite num-
ber of solutions.

EXAMPLE 2 Determine whether (-2, 3) is a solution of 21 = 45- 8.

We substitute:
21 4s-8
2 3 4-2)-8 We substituie -2 for s and 3 for i.
6 -8 8
-16
2. Determine whether (-2, 4) is a
Since the equation becomes false, (-2, 3) is not a solution. solution of 4q - 3p = 22.

Do EXERCISES 1 AND 2.

DGraphing Equations of the Type y =mx and y = mx + b

The equations considered in Examples I and 2 have an infinite number of
solutions, meaning that we cannot list them all. Because of this, it is conve
nient to make a drawing that represents the solutions. Such a drawing is
called a graph.

To graph an equation means to make a drawing that represents its

solutions.

The graphs of linear equations of the type y = mx and y = mx + b are

straight lines. Ifan equation has a graph that is a straight line, we can graph
it by plotting two or more points and then drawing a line through them. ANSWERS ON PAGE A-9
 680 Chapter 12 Graphs of Equations and Inequalities

EXAMPLE 3 Graph: y = x.
Graph.
3. y= 3x We will use alphabetical order. Thus the first (horizontal) axis will be
the x*axis and the second (vertical) axis will be the y-axis. Next, we find
some ordered pairs that are solutions of the equation, keeping the results
in a table. We choose any number for x and then find y by substitution. In
this case, it is easy. Here are a few:
Let x = 0. Then y =x = 0. We get a solution: the ordered
pair (0, 0).
Let x = 1. Then y = x = 1. We get a solution: the ordered
-6-5-4-3-2-1_ 4 6 pair (1, 1).
Let x = 5. Then y * = 5. We get a solution: the ordered
pair (5, 5).
Let x = -2. Then y = x = -2. We get a solution: the ordered
pair(-2, -2).
Let x =
-4. Then y =
x =

- We get a solution: the ordered

pair (-4, -4).
We gather our results in a table like the one shown below. Then we plot
the points. We look for a pattern in the points plotted. It looks as if the
points resemble a straight line. We draw the line with a ruler. Since the line
is the graph ofthe equation y = x, welabel the line y = xon the graph paper.

y
(5, 5)
y (x, y)
(0, 0
4. y
1 (1,1) (1, 1)
0)
5 (5, 5) -5 4 -3 -2- 12 3 4 5 *
-2,-2)
2 2 (-2,-2)
-4 -4 -4, -4)
4,4

-S-4-3-2-1 2345 (1) Choose x.

(2) Compute y..
(3) Form the pair (x, y).
(4) Plot the points.

EXAMPLE 4 Graph: y = 2x.

We find some ordered pairs that are solutions. Since the graph is a line,
we really need to find only two, but we will usually plot a third point as a
check. We keep the results in a table. We choose any number for x and
then determine y by substitution. Suppose we choose 3 for x. Then
y 2x = 2 3 = 6.

We get a solution: the ordered pair (3, 6). Suppose we choose 0 for x. Then
y = 2x = 2 0 0.

We get a solution: the ordered pair (0, 0). For a third point, we make a neg-
ative choice for x. We now have enough points to plot the line, but if we
ANSWERS ON PAGE A-9 wish we can compute more. If a number takes us off the graph paper, we
 681
12.2 Graphing Linear Equations

generally do not use it. Continuing in this manner, we get a table like the Graph.
5. y = - x (or -1 x )
one shown below. Since y 2x, we get y by doubling x.
=

Now we plot these points. We draw the line, o r graph, with a ruler and
label it y = 2x.

y=2x (x, y) (3,6)

3 6 (3, 6)
y = 2x -5-4-3-2-1123 4 5
2 (1,2)
1, 2)
0 (0, 0) ,0)
-6-5-4 -3 -2 -1 12 3 4 5 6 *
-4 (-2, -4)

-3-6 -3, -6) -2, -4)

-3,-6)

DO EXERCISES 3 AND 4 ON THE PRECEDING PAGE

EXAMPLE5 Graph: y= 3x.

We make a table of solutions. Then we plot points. We draw the line
with a ruler and label it y = -3x.

y
6. y =-2x
-3x x, y) -2, 6)
0 0 (0, 0)
1 -3 (1, -3) -1, 3)

3 -1, 3) (0, 0)
*
-6 (2, -6) -6-54 -3 -2 -191 23 456

6 (-2, -5-4-3-2- 12 3 4 5
-2 (1, -3)
2

Don't
forget
(2, -6) the
label

DO EXERCISES 5 AND 6.

EXAMPLE 6 Graph: y = - jx.

We make a table of solutions.

When x =0, y = -} 0= 0.
When x = 3, y = -i 3=-5.
When x = -3, y = -:-3)= 5.
When x = 1, y = -3 1 = 3 .
Note that if we substitute multiples of 3, we can avoid fractions.
Next we plot the points andcomplete the graph by drawing a line through
them. ANSWERS ON PAGE A-9
682 Chapter 12 Graphs of Equations and inequalities

y
Graph.
. y- y= -}xx
-3,5)5
0 0

, 0)
-54-3-2 -1 2 3 45
, - 3)

=-
-5-4-3-2-11 2 3 4 5
2
3,-5)

DO EXERCISES 7 AND 8.

Every equation y = mx has a graph that is a straight line. It contains

the origin, (0, 0). What will happen if we add a number b on the right side
to get an equation y = mx + b?

4
8. y= EXAMPLE 7 Graph y = x and y = x +2 using the same set of axes.

Compare.
We first make a table containing values for both equations.

y=X y = X+ 2

0 0
-54-2-1 2 3 45

2 2 4

9. Graph y=x+ 3 and compare it We then plot these points. We draw a dashed line for y =x a n d a solid line
with the graph of y = x.
for y = x +2. We see that the graph ofy = x+ 2 can be obtained from the
graph of y = x by moving, or translating, the graph of y = x up 2 units.

yAy = +2
(3, 5)
42, 4)
(1, 3)
(0, 2)
-5-4-32-11 2 34 5 -1, 1)
-
-2,0)
-5- I2 45

2 units

up

ANSWERS ON PAGE A-9 DO EXERCISES 9 AND 10. (EXERCISE 10 IS ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE.)
12.2 Graphing Linear Equations 683

Graph y = 2x and y = 2x - 3 using the same set of axes. 10. Graph y = x - 1 and compare it
EXAMPLE 8
with the graph of y = x.
Compare.
We first make a table containing values for both equations.

y= 2x y= 2x-3

-3

2 -1 -5-4-3-2-1 2 34 5

2 4

-1-2
The graph of y = 2x - 3 looks just like the graph of y = 2x, but y = 2x

is moved, or translated, down 3 units.

11. Graph y = 2x + 3 and compare it

3 units
with the graph of y = 2x.
down
4

y = 2x 3
(2, 1)
-5-4 -3-2 -1, 23 45
(1,-1)
(0, -3)
-5-4-3-2-1 23 45

1-5)
DO EXERCISE 11.

EXAMPLE 9 Graph: y = ix + 4.
We make a table of values. Using multiples of 5 avoids fractions.
12. Graph: y=*+2
When x = 0, y = z 0 +4 = 0 +4 = 4.

When x 5, y =z :5 +4 2 + 4 = 6.

When x = -5, y = í (-5) +4 =-2 +4 2.

Since two points determine a line, that is all we really need to graph a line,
but we will usually plot a third point as a check.

-5-4-3-2-1 -1
2 3 4
4

-5 2

ANSWERS ON PAGE A-9

684 Chapter 12 Graphs of Equations and Inequalities

We draw the graph of y = zx + 4.

Graph.
13. y - x 2

(5, 6)
(0, 4)
y- fx+4
-5, 2)

-5-4-3-2-1123 45
-6-5 -4-3 -2-10 1 23 4 5 67

EXAMPLE 10 Graph: y = - i x - 2.

We first make a table of values.

When x 0, y = - 0 - 2 = 0 - 2 =-2.
When x = 4, y = -} 4 - 2 = - 3 - 2 =-5.
When x = -4, y = --4)-2 3 - 2 = 1.
14. y - - 1
x y

-2 We plot these points and draw a line through them.

This line is a graph of the equation. We label the graph

4
- 1
y x2.
We plot this point for a check to see whether
i t is on the line.
-S-4-3-2-11 2 34 5 r
yA

y 2
4,1) 1
-5 4 23+5
15. y=- O,-2)

(4, -5)

DO EXERCISES 12-15. (EXERCISE 12 IS ON THE PRECEDING PAGE.)

-5-4-3-2-1 23 45

ANSWERS ON PAGE A-9

 Exercise Set 12.2 685
SECTION DATE
AME

EXERCISE SET 12.2 ANSWERSs

a Determine whether the given point is a solution of the equation.

1. (2, 5); y= 3x- 1 2. (1, 7); y= 2x +5 3. (2, -3); 3x - y =F4 2.
3.

4.-1,4); 2x + y = 6 5.(-2,-1); 2c+ 2d= -7 6. (0, -4); 4p + 2q= -9

6.
bGraph. 10. y = -4x
7. y = 4x 8. y = 2x 9. y = -2x

A YA

- 4-3-2-1_ 12 3 4 5
54-3-2-1L 23 5 -5-4-3-2-112 345? 54-3-2-1 123 45

11. y 12. yAX 3 14. y 4

4

-S-4-3-2-1, 234 5 -5-4-3-2-LI245 -5-4-3-2-1 2 34 5 -54-3-2-1 3 45

-5

****

15. y = x +1| i6. y = -X+ I 17. y = 2x + 2

-5-4-3-2-1_ 2 3 4 5 54-3-2-L 245 -5-4-3-2-L 23 45

 686 Chapter 12 Graphs of Equations and Inequalities

18. y = 3x - 2 19. y=x -1

3
20. y=x+1

-54-3-2-L 23 45
-5-4-3-2-1 2 3 45 -5-4-3-2-L 23 4 5

ANSWERS Use your own graph paper. Draw and label x and y-axes. Then graph the equation.

21. y = x - 3 22. y =-x - 2

21. See graph.
23. y=x+3
22. See graph.

23. See graph.

24. See graph. 2

24. 25. y= 26. y =

25. See graph.

26. See graph.

27. See graph. 27. y=X 28. y 29. y = 3 2x

28. See graph.

29. See graph.

30. y = 7- 5x 31. y 3 32. y =
30. See graph.

31. See graph.

32. See graph.
SKILL MAINTENANCE
33.
33. An airplane flew for 7 hr with a 5 km/h tailwind. The return flight against the wind
took 8 hr. Find the speed of the plane in still air.
34.
Solve.
35. 34. +5x-25 35. 252 49 0 36. x - 4x = 0
36.

37. SYNTHESIS

37. Find all the whole-number solutions 38. Find three solutions of y = x|.
38. of x+y = 6.