4.

1 Graphing Linear Equations

Learning Target: Graph linear equations.
Success Criteria: • I can create a table of values and write ordered pairs given a linear equation.
• I can plot ordered pairs to create a graph of a linear equation.
• I can use a graph of a linear equation to solve a real-life problem.

EXPLORATION 1 Creating Graphs

Work with a partner. It starts snowing at midnight in Town A and Town B.
The snow falls at a rate of 1.5 inches per hour.
a. In Town A, there is no snow on the ground at midnight. How deep
is the snow at each hour between midnight and 6 a.m.? Make a
graph that represents this situation.

y
Snow depth (inches)

x
Time (hours)

b. Repeat part (a) for Town B, which has 4 inches of snow on the
ground at midnight.

c. The equations below

represent the depth y
(in inches) of snow x hours
after midnight in Town C
and Town D. Graph
Math Practice each equation.
Use a Graph Town C Town D
How can you use each
graph to find the rate y = 2x + 3 y=8
of snowfall? the depth
of the snow when it d. Use your graphs to compare
begins to fall? the snowfall in each town.

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 4.1 Lesson

Key Vocabulary
linear equation, p. 142
Key Idea
solution of a linear Linear Equations
equation, p. 142
A linear equation is an equation whose graph is a line. The points on the
line are solutions of the equation.
You can use a graph to show the solutions of a linear equation. The graph
below represents the equation y = x + 1.
Remember
x y (x, y) y
An ordered pair 3
(2, 3)
(x, y ) is used to locate −1 0 (−1, 0) 2
a point in a coordinate 1
(−1, 0) (0, 1)
plane. 0 1 (0, 1) −3 −2 O 1 2 3 x
y = x +1
2 3 (2, 3) −2
−3

EXAMPLE 1 Graphing a Linear Equation

Graph y = −2x + 1.
Step 1: Make a table of values.

x y = −2x + 1 y (x, y)

−1 y = −2(−1) + 1 3 (−1, 3)

0 y = −2(0) + 1 1 (0, 1)

2 y = −2(2) + 1 −3 (2, −3)

Step 2: Plot the ordered pairs. y

3
(−1, 3)
(0, 1)
y = −2x + 1 1
Step 3: Draw a line through the points.
−3 −2 O 2 3 4 x

−2
(2, −3)
−3

Try It Graph the linear equation.

1
1. y = 3x 2. y = −2x − 1 3. y = −— x + 2
2

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 Key Idea
that is a
Every point
y = b has a Graphing Horizontal and Vertical Lines
solution of
of b. These
y-coordinate orizontal The graph of y = b is a horizontal The graph of x = a is a vertical
nah
points lie o line passing through (0, b). line passing through (a, 0).
h (0, b). You
line throug g
ilar reasonin y
can use sim x=a
y
nd why the y=b
to understa ical
= a is a vert
(a, 0)
graph of x h (a, 0 ).
(0, b) O x
line throug O x

EXAMPLE 2 Graphing a Horizontal Line and a Vertical Line

a. Graph y = −3. b. Graph x = 2.
The graph of y = −3 is a The graph of x = 2 is a vertical
horizontal line passing through line passing through (2, 0).
(0, −3). Draw a horizontal line Draw a vertical line through
through this point. this point.
y y
2
−3 −2 O 1 2 3 x
1
(2, 0)
−2
(0, −3) −2 O 1 3 4 x

−4 y = −3 −2 x=2

Try It Graph the linear equation.

1
4. y = 3 5. y = −1.5 6. x = −4 7. x = —
2

Self-Assessment for Concepts & Skills

Solve each exercise. Then rate your understanding of the success criteria
in your journal.

GRAPHING A LINEAR EQUATION Graph the linear equation.

8. y = −x + 1 9. y = 0.8x − 2
2
10. x = 2.5 11. y = —
3

12. WHICH ONE DOESN’T BELONG? Which equation does not belong
with the other three? Explain your reasoning.

y=x−2 4x + 3 = y y = x2 + 6 x+5=y

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 EXAMPLE 3 Modeling Real Life
The wind speed y (in miles per hour) of a tropical storm is
y = 2x + 66, where x is the number of hours after the storm
enters the Gulf of Mexico. When does the storm become a
hurricane?

Use a graph to find the time it takes for the storm to become a
A tropical storm becomes a hurricane. Make a table of values. Plot the ordered pairs and
hurricane when wind speeds draw a line through the points.
are at least 74 miles per hour.
y = 2x + 66
y
x y = 2x + 66 y (x, y) 76

0 y = 2(0) + 66 66 (0, 66) 72

1 y = 2(1) + 66 68 (1, 68)

68
2 y = 2(2) + 66 70 (2, 70)
64
Math Practice 3 y = 2(3) + 66 72 (3, 72)
60
Use Equations
How else can you use 1 2 3 4 5 6 x
the equation
y = 2x + 66 to help
From the graph, you can see that y = 74 when x = 4.
you determine when
the storm becomes a So, the storm becomes a hurricane 4 hours after it enters the
hurricane?
Gulf of Mexico.

Self-Assessment for Problem Solving

Solve each exercise. Then rate your understanding of the success criteria
in your journal.

13. A game show contestant earns y dollars for completing a puzzle

in x minutes. This situation is represented by the equation
y = −250x + 5000. How long did a contestant who earned $500
take to complete the puzzle? Justify your answer.

14. The total cost y (in dollars) to join a cheerleading team and attend
x competitions is represented by the equation y = 10x + 50.
a. Graph the linear equation.
b. You have $75 to spend. How many competitions can you attend?

15. The seating capacity y for a banquet hall is represented by y = 8x + 56,

where x is the number of extra tables you need. How many extra tables
do you need to double the original seating capacity?

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 4.1 Practice Go to BigIdeasMath.com to get
HELP with solving the exercises.

Review & Refresh

Tell whether the triangles are similar. Explain.
1. 95°
2.
x°
46° 51° 79°
40°
46°
y°
39°
y° x° 40°

Describe the translation of the point to its image.

3. (1, −4) (3, 0) 4. (6, 4) (−4, −6) 5. (4, −2) (−9, 3)

Concepts, Skills, & Problem Solving

CREATING GRAPHS Make a graph of the situation. (See Exploration 1, p. 141.)
6. The equation y = −2x + 8 represents the amount y (in fluid ounces) of
dish detergent in a bottle after x days of use.
7. The equation y = 15x + 20 represents the cost y (in dollars) of a gym
membership after x months.

PRECISION Copy and complete the table with two solutions. Plot the ordered
pairs and draw the graph of the linear equation. Use the graph to find a third solution
of the equation.
8. 9.
x x

y = 3x − 1 1
y = —x + 2
3

GRAPHING A LINEAR EQUATION Graph the linear equation.

10. y = −5x 11. y = 9x 12. y = 5 13. x = −6
x
14. y = x − 3 15. y = −7x − 1 16. y = −— + 4 17. y = 0.75x − 0.5
3
2 1
18. y = −— 19. y = 6.75 20. x = −0.5 21. x = —
3 4

22. YOU BE THE TEACHER Your friend graphs the equation

y = 4. Is your friend correct? Explain your reasoning. y
4
3 y=4
23. MODELING REAL LIFE The equation y = 20 represents 2
the cost y (in dollars) for sending x text messages in a month. 1
(4, 0)
Graph the linear equation. What does the graph tell you
O 1 2 3 x
about your texting plan?

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 24. MODELING REAL LIFE The equation y = 2x + 3
represents the cost y (in dollars) of mailing a package that
weighs x pounds.
a. Use a graph to estimate how much it costs to mail
the package.
b. Use the equation to find exactly how much it costs
to mail the package.

SOLVING A LINEAR EQUATION Solve for y. Then graph the linear equation.
25. y − 3x = 1 26. 5x + 2y = 4
1
27. −— y + 4x = 3 28. x + 0.5y = 1.5
3

29. MODELING REAL LIFE The depth y (in inches) of a lake

after x years is represented by the equation y = 0.2x + 42.
How much does the depth of the lake increase in four years?
Use a graph to justify your answer.

30. MODELING REAL LIFE The amount y (in dollars) of money in your savings
account after x months is represented by the equation y = 12.5x + 100.
a. Graph the linear equation.
b. How manyy months will it take you to save a total of $237.50?

31.
31 PROBLEM SOLVING The radius y (in millimeters)
of a chemical spill after x days is represented by the
equation y = 6x + 50.
a. Graph the linear equation.
b. The leak is noticed after two weeks. What is the area
of the leak when it is noticed? Justify your answer.

32. GEOMETRY The sum S of the interior angle measures of a polygon with n sides
⋅
is S = (n − 2) 180°.
a. Plot four points (n, S ) that satisfy the equation. Is the equation a linear
equation? Explain your reasoning.
b. Does the value n = 3.5 make sense in the context of the problem? Explain
your reasoning.

33. DIG DEEPER One second of video on your cell phone uses the same amount
of memory as two pictures. Your cell phone can store 2500 pictures.
a. Create a graph that represents the number y of pictures your cell phone
can store when you take x seconds of video.
b. How many pictures can your cell phone store in addition to a video that
is one minute and thirty seconds long?

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