MA, Stanford University
Teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area
Alissa is currently a teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area and Brightstorm users love her clear, concise explanations of tough concepts
If you find all of the pairs of x and y numbers that work in a given linear equation, like y = 3x-1 and plot those (x,y) pairs on a graph, you'll get a straight line. The graph is a picture of all of the solution points, including those that are integer number pairs as well as every tiny fractional or decimal value that you can imagine. There are infinitely many solutions on the line. To make a line, choose some x values (usually one positive, one negative, and zero) to substitute in the equation one at a time. Find the corresponding y values. Graph them, and they should be ruler straight. If they're not straight, double check your calculations.
Transcript Coming Soon!