Chapter 5 - Graphing Linear Equations
Chapter 5 - Graphing Linear Equations
Contents
CHAPTER 5: GRAPHING LINEAR EQUATIONS .......................................................................................... 151
151
Chapter 5
We write the input and its corresponding output as "(𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖, 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜).” This is known as an ordered pair.
For example,
In an ordered pair, order matters. Let us take a look at the ordered pair (4,3). Since 4 appears first in this
ordered pair, we know that 4 is the input. Likewise, since 3 appears second, we know that 3 is the output
that belongs to 4. We can also refer to these numbers as coordinates.
To plot ordered pairs we use the Cartesian plane. The Cartesian plane is made up of a horizontal real
number line (which we call the 𝑥𝑥-axis) and a vertical real number line (which we call the 𝑦𝑦-axis). The
vertical and horizontal lines intersect at the point (0,0), which is called the origin. The Cartesian plane is
divided into four quadrants.
5 𝑦𝑦 -axis
4
3
Quadrant
2 Quadrant I
II
1
0
𝑥𝑥 -axis
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Quadrant
Quadrant III -2 IV
-3
-4
-5
To plot the ordered pair (4,3) we will look at the first coordinate, 4. We start at the origin and move to
the right (the positive direction) by four units. Looking at the second coordinate, 3, we will then go up (in
the positive direction) by three units. This is the point (4,3).
3 (4,3)
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1-1 0 1 2 3 4 5
-3
-5
152
Chapter 5
A line is made up of an infinite number of points. To draw a line, however, we only need two points. What
a line represents are the solutions to a linear equation. An example of a linear equation is
𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑥𝑥 + 1
where 𝑥𝑥 is the input, and 𝑦𝑦 is the output. If we want to graph a linear equation, then we will need to make
a table of inputs and outputs. Let us graph the linear equation above. For the table we are creating, we
are allowed to pick any inputs we want. One person can pick the input 1 and another can pick the input
1,000. There is no wrong input you can choose for a linear equation, but we would like to keep things as
simple as possible. Let us choose the following.
To find the corresponding outputs to the inputs we have chosen, we plug in one 𝑥𝑥 value into the linear
equation and solve for 𝑦𝑦. Let us find all the outputs:
For 𝑥𝑥 = 0: 𝑦𝑦 = 2(0) + 1
𝑦𝑦 = 1
For 𝑥𝑥 = 1: 𝑦𝑦 = 2(1) + 1
𝑦𝑦 = 2 + 1
𝑦𝑦 = 3
Plotting these ordered pairs allows us to draw the line for the linear equation 𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑥𝑥 + 1
5
4
3
2
1
0
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
-4
-5
153
Chapter 5
Two important points worth mentioning are the 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦 intercepts of the line. The 𝒙𝒙-intercept of a line is
the point (𝑥𝑥, 0), that is, the point where the line crosses the 𝑥𝑥-axis. The 𝒚𝒚-intercept of a line is the point
(0, 𝑦𝑦), that is, the point where the line crosses the 𝑦𝑦-axis. Below are some examples of 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦 intercepts.
The cross is indicated by an “x”.
x-intercept y-intercept
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
0 0
-4 -3 -2 -1 -1 0 1 2 3 4 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 0 1 2 3 4
-2 -2
-3 -3
-4 -4
MEDIA LESSON
Points and lines (Duration 2:57)
stop at 2:57
View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
• The positive numbers on the 𝑥𝑥-axis are located in what direction? _____________________
• The negative numbers on the 𝑥𝑥-axis are located in what direction? _____________________
• The positive numbers on the 𝑦𝑦-axis are located in what direction? _____________________
• The negative numbers on the 𝑦𝑦-axis are located in what direction? _____________________
We give _______________ to points on the 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥-plane using these two number lines. First we give
direction to the point going to _______________, then we give direction to the point going up.
Example: Graph the points. (−2, 3), (4, −1), (−2, −4), (0, 3) and (−1,0)
YOU TRY
154
Chapter 5
Plot and label the points.
a) (−4, 2)
10
b) (3, 8)
8
c) (0, −5) 6
4
d) (−6, −4)
2
e) (5, 0) 0
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
f) (2, −8) -4
g) (0, 0) -6
-8
-10
5
4
3
run
2
rise 1
0
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
-4
-5
To find the rise we start at a well-defined point. In our graph above we started at (−2, −1). Then locate
a second well-defined point, in our case above we let that second point be (2, 3). Now, starting at our
initial point we rise up four units until we get to the exact same level as the second point. This is shown
as a dotted vertical line above. Next, we move towards the second point which is four units to the right.
This is shown as a dotted horizontal line above.
Since we “ran” to the right by four units, we say that the run is 4.
Thus
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 4
𝑚𝑚 = = =1
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 4
So 𝑚𝑚 = 1.
155
Chapter 5
NOTE: If the slope is positive, then the slope will be rising from left to right. If the slope is negative,
then the slope will be declining from left to right.
m is positive m is negative
We will now look at two special lines: the vertical line and the horizontal line.
A vertical line has the form 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑐𝑐, where 𝑐𝑐 is a constant number. Here is an example of the vertical line
𝑥𝑥 = 2
5
(2, 4)
3
1
-5 -3 -1
-1 1 3 5
-3
(2, -4)
-5
If we were to pick the two well-defined points to be (2, 4) and (2, −4), then the rise would have a value
of 8. However, the run will have a value of 0 since we do not move to the right or left.
Thus
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 8
𝑚𝑚 = = = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 0
Since we can’t divide by 0, the slope of the line does not exist.
A horizontal line has the form 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑐𝑐, where 𝑐𝑐 is a constant number. Here is an example of the
horizontal line 𝑦𝑦 = 2.
(-3, 4) 5 (3, 4)
-5 -3 -1
-1 1 3 5
-3
-5
If we were to pick the two well-defined points to be (−3, 4) and (3, 4), then the rise would have a value
of 0 since we do not move up or down. The run, however, will have a value of 6.
156
Chapter 5
Thus
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 0
𝑚𝑚 = = =0
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 6
Since 0 divided by anything is 0, our slope does exist and is 0.
To summarize:
MEDIA LESSON
Slope from two points (Duration 5:00)
View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
For example, if we are given the coordinates (3, 3) and (6, 5), we should be able to determine the
___________________________________.
The slope of the two given coordinates is _________________, therefore the 𝑦𝑦-intercept is equal
to_______________.
YOU TRY
a) Find the slope of the line below. b) Find the slope of the line below.
6 (3, 5) (-3, 11) 12
4 10
8
2 6
0 4
-4 -3 -2 -1-2 0 1 2 3 4 2
0
-4 -4 -3 -2 -1-2 0 1 2 3 4
(-3, -7) -4 (3, -7)
-6 -6
-8 -8
157
Chapter 5
C. OBTAINING THE SLOPE OF A LINE FROM TWO POINTS
In the previous chapter we found the slope of a line by its graph. Another way to find the slope of a line
(if we weren’t given its graph) is to look at any two points belonging to that line. Let us look at a
modified definition of slope.
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑐𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑦𝑦 𝑦𝑦2 − 𝑦𝑦1
𝑚𝑚 = = =
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑐𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥2 − 𝑥𝑥1
The last expression is what we are interested in. If we are given two points (𝑥𝑥1 , 𝑦𝑦1 ) and (𝑥𝑥2 , 𝑦𝑦2 ), then
we just need to take the difference of the two 𝑦𝑦 values and divide them by the difference of their
respective 𝑥𝑥 values. For example, if we have the points (−1, 1) and (1, 4), then
𝑦𝑦2 − 𝑦𝑦1 4−1 3
𝑚𝑚 = = =
𝑥𝑥2 − 𝑥𝑥1 1 − (−1) 2
3
So 𝑚𝑚 = .
2
MEDIA LESSON
Slope from two points (Duration 5:00)
View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
When we say rise over run we think of the rise as the change in _____________.
Follow the video and find the slope between (−2, −5) and (−17, 4).
YOU TRY
EXERCISES
For problems 1-4 find the slope of the line.
158
Chapter 5
1) 2)
9 3
6
1
3
-3 -2 -1
-1 0 1 2 3
0
-3 0 3 6 9
-3 -3
3) 4)
3 6
4
1 2
0
-3 -2 -1
-1 0 1 2 3 -6 -4 -2
-2 0 2 4 6
-4
-3 -6
For problems 5-16 find the slope of the line through each ordered-pair.
5) (−16, −14), (11, −14) 6) (−4, 14), (16, 8) 7) (12, −19), (6, 14)
8) (−5, 7), (18, 14) 9) (1, 2), (−6, −14) 10) (13, −2), (7, 7)
11) (−16, 2), (15, −10) 12) (8, 11), (−3, −13) 13) (11, −2), (1, 17)
14) (−2, 10), (−2, −15) 15) (−18, −5), (14, −3) 16) (19, 15), (5, 11)
For problems 17-22 find the value of 𝑥𝑥 or 𝑦𝑦 so that the line through the points has the given slope.
−4 8
17) (2, 6) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (𝑥𝑥, 2); 𝑚𝑚 = 7
18) (−3, −2) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (𝑥𝑥, 6); 𝑚𝑚 = − 5
5 1
19) (𝑥𝑥, 5) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (8, 0); 𝑚𝑚 = − 6 20) (8, 𝑦𝑦) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (−2, 4); 𝑚𝑚 = − 5
159
Chapter 5
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑏𝑏
Where 𝑚𝑚 is the slope and 𝑏𝑏 is the 𝑦𝑦 intercept (recall that the 𝑦𝑦-intercept is a point, so we really have
(0, 𝑏𝑏)).
When finding the equation of a line we would like the final result to be in slope-intercept form. This not
only makes it easier to solve for 𝑦𝑦 but it also gives us two important pieces of information: the slope and
the 𝑦𝑦-intercept of the line.
MEDIA LESSON
Slope intercept equation (Duration 5:00)
View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
3
Give the equation of the line with a slope of − and a 𝑦𝑦-intercept of 2.
4
YOU TRY
a) Find the equation of the line with slope 2 and 𝑦𝑦 –intercept (0, −3).
MEDIA LESSON
Put in intercept form (Duration 4:08)
View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
160
Chapter 5
We can put a linear equation in slope-intercept form to help us identify the _______________ and
_______________. If the equation is not in this form, then we _______________ identify these key
Follow the video and give the slope and 𝑦𝑦-intercept of the graph
2
𝑦𝑦 + 4 = (𝑥𝑥 − 4)
3
YOU TRY
a) Write the equation 3𝑥𝑥 − 9𝑦𝑦 = 6 in slope-intercept form. Find the slope and the 𝑦𝑦-intercept of the
line.
C. GRAPHING LINES
Now that we know what information is given to us when a linear equation is in slope-intercept form and
how to manipulate a linear equation to get it into slope-intercept form, let us use this form to start
graphing lines.
MEDIA LESSON
Graph (Duration 4:57)
View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
We can graph an equation by identifying the _______________ and _______________. Once we have
identified this key information we will start the graph at the _______________ and use the
_______________.
Follow the video and put the linear equation 3𝑥𝑥 − 2𝑦𝑦 = 2 in slope intercept form. Then graph your
answer.
161
Chapter 5
YOU TRY
1
a) Graph 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 − 2 by using the slope and 𝑦𝑦-intercept.
3
𝑦𝑦 = 0𝑥𝑥 + 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑏𝑏
Recall that a horizontal line has a slope of 0, hence the reason 𝑚𝑚 = 0. If we let 𝑥𝑥 = 1, then 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑏𝑏.
If we let 𝑥𝑥 = −3, then 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑏𝑏. No matter what value we choose for 𝑥𝑥, the 𝑦𝑦 value will always be the
same. The equation for a horizontal line is therefore 𝒚𝒚 = 𝒃𝒃 or its 𝑦𝑦-coordinate of the graph.
Unfortunately it is impossible for us to represent a vertical line in slope-intercept form because a vertical
line’s slope does not exist. This tells us that there is no 𝑦𝑦 in its equation. To represent a vertical line as an
equation, we will simply make 𝑥𝑥 equal to its 𝑥𝑥-coordinate of the graph. The equation for a vertical line
is therefore 𝒙𝒙 = 𝒄𝒄, where 𝒄𝒄 is the intercept.
162
Chapter 5
MEDIA LESSON
Vertical and Horizontal (Duration 2:17)
View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
Vertical lines, when graphed, will always go through the _______________. Vertical lines are always
Horizontal lines, when graphed, will always go through the _______________. Horizontal lines are
1. Label the axes and graph 𝑦𝑦=-2 2. Find the equation of the graph below.
-5 -3 -1
-1 1 3 5
-3
-5
YOU TRY
a) Graph 𝑦𝑦 = 4. b) Graph 𝑥𝑥 = 4.
E. POINT-SLOPE FORMULA
The slope-intercept formula gives us two pieces of information that makes graphing relatively easy: the
slope of the line and its 𝑦𝑦-intercept. Unfortunately we may not be given the 𝑦𝑦-intercept all the time. In
these cases we can use the point-slope formula below
163
Chapter 5
𝑦𝑦 − 𝑦𝑦1 = 𝑚𝑚(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥1 )
where 𝑚𝑚 is the slope and (𝑥𝑥1 , 𝑦𝑦1 ) is a point on the line.
MEDIA LESSON
Point slope (Duration 5:00)
View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
2
Give the equation of the line that passes through (−3, 5) and has the slope of − .
5
YOU TRY
a) Using the point-slope formula, write the equation of the line passing through the point (1, 2) with a
1
slope of . Write your final answer is slope-intercept form.
2
b) Using the point-slope formula, write the equation of the line passing through the point (−2, 4) with
2
a slope of − . Write your final answer is slope-intercept form.
5
1. We can use the two given points to find the slope using the slope formula.
2. Once we obtain the slope, we can then use the point-slope formula together with the slope and any
of the two points that we were given to create the linear equation.
3. Once we have the equation we can then put it in slope-intercept form to help us graph.
MEDIA LESSON
Given two points (Duration 5:00)
View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
One important fact is that to find the equation of a line we must have the_______________.
164
Chapter 5
Recall that the formula for slope is
𝑚𝑚 =
Find the equation of the line through (1, −4) and (3, 5) and give the answer in slope-intercept form.
YOU TRY
a) Find the equation of the line passing through the points (1, 2) and (−1, −3) and write your final
answer in slope-intercept form.
b) Find the equation of the line passing through the points (3, −2) and (1, 5) and write your final
answer in slope-intercept form.
165
Chapter 5
EXERCISES
For problems 1-3 write the equation of the line in slope-intercept form given the slope and the 𝒚𝒚-
intercept.
1 2) 𝑚𝑚 = −1 𝑦𝑦-intercept = -2 2
1) 𝑚𝑚 = 3, 𝑦𝑦-intercept = 1 3) 𝑚𝑚 = 5, 𝑦𝑦-intercept = 5
For problems 4-6 write the equation of the line in slope-intercept form given the graph.
4) 5) 6)
9 9 3
6 6 2
3 3 1
0 0 0
-9 -6 -3-3 0 3 6 9 -9 -6 -3-3 0 3 6 9 -3 -2 -1-1 0 1 2 3
-6 -6 -2
-9 -9 -3
For problems 7-15 write the equation of the line in slope-intercept form given the equation.
7) 2𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 = −1 8) 𝑥𝑥 = −8 9) 𝑦𝑦 − 4 = 4(𝑥𝑥 − 1)
1 11) 6𝑥𝑥 − 11𝑦𝑦 = −70 12) 𝑥𝑥 − 7𝑦𝑦 = −42
10) 𝑦𝑦 + 1 = − 2 (𝑥𝑥 − 4)
2 14) 0 = 𝑥𝑥 − 4 15) 𝑥𝑥 − 10𝑦𝑦 = 3
13) 𝑦𝑦 − 3 = − 3 (𝑥𝑥 + 3)
For problems 22-30 write the equation of the line in slope-intercept form given a point passing
through the line and its slope.
1 3 1
22) (2, 2); 𝑚𝑚 = 2 23) (−4, 1); 𝑚𝑚 = 4 24) (0 − 5); 𝑚𝑚 = − 4
For problems 31-36 write the equation of the line in slope-intercept form given two points on the line.
31) (5, 1) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (−3, 0) 32) (3, 5) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (−5, 3) 33) (1, 3) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (−3, 3)
34) (−4, 1) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (4, 4) 35) (−5, 1) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (−1, −2) 36) (4, 1) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (1, 4)
166
Chapter 5
Perpendicular Lines
Lines 𝑙𝑙1 and 𝑙𝑙2 are said to be perpendicular to each other if they have negative reciprocal slopes.
MEDIA LESSON
Slopes of parallel and perpendicular lines (Duration 5:23)
View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
Parallel lines are two or more lines in a plane that never _______________.
Perpendicular lines are two or more lines that intersect at a _______________ angle.
Follow the video and find the slope of a line perpendicular to the line 𝑦𝑦 = −3𝑥𝑥 + 2.
YOU TRY
167
Chapter 5
B. OBTAIN EQUATIONS FOR PARALLEL AND PERPENDICULAR LINES
Once we have the slope for a line that is perpendicular or parallel to another line, it is possible to find
the equation for the perpendicular or parallel line given a point that is on one of these lines.
MEDIA LESSON
Equations for parallel and perpendicular lines (Duration 5:00)
View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
Parallel lines have the same _______________ and perpendicular lines have
_______________________ slopes. Once we know the slope and a point we can use the
formula_______________.
Follow the video and find the equation of the line parallel to the line 2𝑥𝑥 − 5𝑦𝑦 = 3 that goes through the
YOU TRY
a) Find the equation of a line passing through (1, 2) and parallel to 2𝑥𝑥 − 3𝑦𝑦 = 6.
b) Find the equation of the line passing through (6, −9) and perpendicular to 𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑥𝑥 + 1. Write your
final answer in slope-intercept form.
168
Chapter 5
EXERCISES
For problems 1-3 find the slope of a line parallel to the given line.
1) 𝑦𝑦 = 4𝑥𝑥 − 5 2) 7𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 = −2 10
3) 𝑦𝑦 = − 3
𝑥𝑥 −5
For problems 4-6 find the slope of a line perpendicular to the given line.
4) 𝑥𝑥 = 3 5) 𝑦𝑦 = 4 6) 8𝑥𝑥 − 3𝑦𝑦 = −9
For problems 7-16 find the equation of the line passing through the point and given the line to be
parallel or perpendicular. Write your final answer in slope-intercept form.
7 8) (1, −2); perpendicular to −𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦 = 2
7) (5, 2); parallel to 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 + 4
5
13) (1, −1); parallel to 𝑦𝑦 = −3𝑥𝑥 − 1 14) (−2, −5); perpendicular to 𝑦𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑥 = 0
169
Chapter 5
CHAPTER REVIEW
KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS
Look for the following terms and concepts as you work through the workbook. In the space below, explain the
meaning of each of these concepts and terms in your own words. Provide examples that are not identical to
those in the text or in the media lesson.
Input
Output
Cartesian plane
Origin
Ordered pair
𝑥𝑥-intercept
𝑦𝑦-intercept
Slope formula
Slope-intercept form
Point-slope form
170