Thread: weird algebra problem

Please help me! x-2y=3 How the heck do I graph this? heck, how the heck do I solve it?!

Originally Posted by Silverstaraptor

Please help me! x-2y=3 How the heck do I graph this? heck, how the heck do I solve it?!

Add 2y to both sides



subtract 3 from both sides:



Divide both sides by 2:



This is now in the form of a typical straight line... can you derive the gradient and y-intercept from here?

Also, what do you mean by "solve" it? This is 1 equation in 2 unknowns, hence you cannot solve.

Originally Posted by Silverstaraptor

Please help me! x-2y=3 How the heck do I graph this? heck, how the heck do I solve it?!

Because it does not involve anything more complicated than multiplying by a constant and subtracting, this is a "linear function": its graph is a straight line. And a straight line is determined by two points. Find any two x, y values that satisfy the equation, graph them and draw the line through them.
One way to do that is to find the "intercepts". If y= 0 then x= 3 so (3, 0) is on the graph. If x= 0, then -2y= 3 or y= -3/2 so (0, -3/2) is on the graph. Draw the line between those two points.