How do you graph the equation -5x plus y equals 1?

Answer 1

-5x+y=1

In order to graph, you should reorganize the equation into y-intercept form, y=mx+b, in which m is the slope of the line, and b is the slope-intercept. You can tell this is a line because the x is to the first power.

-5x+y=1

y=5x+1

In this case, 1 is the b value. On a coordinate plane, mark a point at (0,1) because 1 is the y value at which the line crosses the y-axis. At that point, the x-value is 0 because it has to be a point directly above or below the origin, at which x-value is 0. Because the equation is in slope-intercept form, you know that 1 is the y value.

You also know that the slope is 5 (aka 5/1). Slope is rise over run, so you know that for ever 5 units the line moves up, it will move 1 unit to the right. You know that it is up and right because the 5 is positive. Now, from the y-intercept you plotted at (0,1) move up 5 units and right 1 unit, and mark another point there at (1,6). You can continue to mark points in this fashion at (2,11), (3,16), (4,21)...But generally, two points is enough.

Use a straight edge of some sort to connect the dots, drawing excess on either end of the dots. Include arrows on both ends of the line. It continues forever in both directions without any discontinuities. It would only have discontinuities if there were a fraction or an even root like a square root or fourth root, so you don't have to worry about that.

You're done!