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3.1
Graphing
Equations
The Rectangular Coordinate
System
Ordered pair – two numbers associated with a point on
a graph. The first number gives the horizontal location
of the point. The second gives the vertical location.
Coordinate – a number in an ordered pair; x-
coordinate, y-coordinate.
x-axis – horizontal number line
y-axis –vertical number line
Origin – point of intersection of the two axes
Quadrants – four regions created by the intersection of
the two axes.
Graphing an Ordered Pair
3x – y = 5
3(–1) – 6 = 5
–3 – 6 = 5
–9 = 5 False
Let x = 1.
2x – y = –4
2(1) – y = –4 Replace x with 1.
2 – y = –4 Simplify.
– y = –6 Subtract 2 from both sides.
y=6 Multiply both sides by –1.
Next, let y = 4.
2x – y = –4
2x – 4 = –4 Replace y with 4.
2x = – 4 + 4 Add 4 to both sides.
2x = 0 Simplify.
x=0 Divide both sides by 2.
Next, let x = 4.
2x – y = –4
2(– 3) – y = –4 Replace x with –3.
– 6 – y = –4 Simplify.
–y = 2 Add 6 to both sides.
y = –2 Multiply both sides by –1.
3
y= (4) + 3 Replace x with 4.
4
y=3+3=6 Simplify.
Next, let x = 0.
3
y= x+3
4
y = 3 (0) + 3 Replace x with 0.
4
y=0+3=3 Simplify.
(4, 6)
Now we plot all three of
the ordered pair (0, 3)
solutions; (4, 6), (0, 3)
and (–4, 0).
(–4, 0) x
And then we draw
the line that
contains the three
points.
Helpful Hint
If a graph crosses the x-axis at (2, 0) and the y-axis at (0, –8),
then
(2, 0) (0, –8)
x-intercept y-intercept
Notice that for the x-intercept, the y-value is 0 and for the
y-intercept, the x-value is 0.
Note: Sometimes in mathematics, you may see just the
number –8 stated as the y-intercept and 2 stated as the
x-intercept.
Intercepts
1
Let x = 3 y ( 3) 1
3
Graphing Nonlinear
Equations
Not all equations in two variables are linear
equations, and not all graphs of equations in two
variables are lines.
Example
Graph the parabola y
y x 2.
5
x y = x2
2 4
5 x
1 1 5
0 0
1 1
5
2 4
Example
y
Graph the absolute value
equation y x . 5
x y = |x|
2 2
1 1 5 5 x
0 0
1 1
2 2 5
Example
Graph the equation y
y x. 5
x y x
0 0
1 1 x
5 5
4 2
9 3
5