Before we graph $y = -\frac{1}{2}x,$ we know that the slope, mx, could be read as $\frac{rise}{run}$ . To graph the the equation of the line, we begin at the point (0,0). From that point, because our rise is negative (-1), instead of moving upwards or vertically, we will move downards. Therefore, from point 0, we will vertically move downwards one time. Now, our point is on point -1 on the y-axis. Now, we have 2 as our run. From point -1, we move to the right two times. We land on point (2,-1). Because we need various points to graph this equation, we must continue on. In the end, the graph will look like the first graph given.

For the equation y = 2, the line will be plainly horizontal. Why? Because x has no value in the equation. The variable $x$ does not exist in this linear equation. Therefore, it will look like the second graph below. We graph this by plotting the point, (0,2), on the y-axis.

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3 years ago