# How do you graph y + 4 = -2x by plotting points?

Jun 6, 2017

With functions that have a degree of $1$ and are not reciprocal, we can determine that the function is linear. Thus, we can just find the intercepts and connect them with a straight line.

In this case, the intercepts are: $\left(- 2 , 0\right)$ and $\left(0 , - 4\right)$.

#### Explanation:

So, the best way to graph this relation is to find the intercepts and connect them with a straight line.

I know this is a linear equation because the highest degree is $1$. The variables are not in the reciprocal format as well.

Anyways, let's first make an equation for the variables.

We'll start with $x$ first.

$y + 4 = - 2 x$

$\frac{y + 4}{-} 2 = x$

Now let's find the $x$-intercept by subbing in $y = 0$.

$\frac{y + 4}{-} 2 = x$

$\frac{0 + 4}{-} 2 = x$

$\frac{4}{-} 2 = x$

$- 2 = x$

Thus, the $x$-intercept is $\left(- 2 , 0\right)$.

Now let's make an equation for the $y$.

$y + 4 = - 2 x$

$y = - 2 x - 4$

Now let's find the $y$-intercept by subbing in $x = 0$.

$y = - 2 x - 4$

$y = - 2 \left(0\right) - 4$

$y = - 4$

Thus, the $y$-intercept is $\left(0 , - 4\right)$.

All we have to do is connect them with a straight line and we have our graph.

graph{y+4=-2x [-10, 10, -5, 5]}

Hope this helps :)