How do you graph 3x - y = -7 using a table of values?

1 Answer
Jun 24, 2016

Rewrite the function as y=3x-7 then solve it using values for x close to the origin.

{: ("x",,"y"), (-1,,4), (0,,7), (1,,10) :}

Explanation:

The first thing we have to do here is to organize the function in its base form: y=f(x). Send y to the right side of the equation summing and -7 to the left side, also summing. This is the same as adding (y+7) to both sides of the equation:
3xcancel(-y+y)+7=cancel(-7+7)+y
3x+7=y, or y=3x+7.

In order to make the table, we must solve this function creating values for x close to the origin. Since this is a linear function, we need at least 2 points to make the line, but let's use 3, just to guarantee. I chose -1, 0 and 1:

{: (x,,y), (-1,,3(-1)+7=-3+7=4), (0,,3(0)+7=0+7=7), (1,,3(1)+7=3+7=10) :}

Checking:
graph{3x+7 [-2., 2, -5, 12]}