# How do you graph 4x+y=-1 using intercepts?

May 28, 2017

Sub in the variables as $0$ and solve for the other variable.

In this case, $x = - \frac{1}{4}$ and $y = - 1$.

#### Explanation:

All we have to do is sub in the variables as $0$ and solve for the other variable.

$x$-intercept

Here, we are solving for the $x$-intercept. Thus, we have to sub $y = 0$.

$4 x + y = - 1$

$4 x + 0 = - 1$

Now, let's bring like terms together and add them.

$4 x = - 1$

Now, we can isolate for $x$.

$\frac{4 x}{4} = - \frac{1}{4}$

$x = - \frac{1}{4}$

Therefore, because $x = - \frac{1}{4}$, the $x$-intercept is $\left(- \frac{1}{4} , 0\right)$.

$y$-intercept

Now, if we're solving for the $y$-intercept, we would have to sub in $x = 0$.

$4 x + y = - 1$

$4 \left(0\right) + y = - 1$

$y = - 1$

Therefore, because $y = - 1$, the $x$-intercept is $\left(0 , - 1\right)$.

We can double check our work by graphing the equation:

graph{4x+y=-1 [-10, 10, -5, 5]}

As you can see, the intercepts on the graph match with what we solved for!

Hope this helps :)