How do you graph #y=1/2x-5# by plotting points?

1 Answer

Refer the explanation section.

Explanation:

The given function is linear. The curve will be a straight line.
Find two points. Plot them on a graph sheet. Join them with the help of a straight Line.

Given -

#y=1/2x-5#

Find the Y - intercept

At #x=0; y=1/2(0)-5#

#(0, -5)# is one of the points.

For the other point we would normally find the X-intercept.

If we did that with this equation we would create a fraction. It may be little difficult to fix that point. So, instead, assign a value to #y# so that you get a whole number as x-co-ordinate.

In our case we shall assign #+1# as y-co-ordinate.

At #y= 1; 1=1/2x-5#

#1/2x-5=1#
#1/2x=1+5=6#
#x=6 xx 2=12#

#(12, 1)# is another point.

Plot the points #(0,-5) and (12,1)#

Join them with a straight line. You get the curve.

Refer the image

Watch the video also