Question

How do you graph `x – 2y = 6` by plotting points?

Answer 1

Choose two values for `y` and compute the related `x` values

Explanation:

First of all, you need to note that you have the equation of a line. In fact, a line is the only function you can plot knowing only two of its points (you simply need to connect them!)

So, we need two points which surely lie on the line.

To do so, we express the `x` values as dependent on the `y` ones:

`x-2y=6 \implies x=2y+6`

So let's choose, for example, `y=0` and `y=1`. We deduce that, if `y=0`, then `x=2*0+6=6`. So, a first point is `(6,0)`.

Similarly, if `y=1`, then `x=1*2+6=8`, and there is our second point.

Now, simply draw the points `(6,0)` and `(8,1)`, connect them, and there you go!