answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

In theory you only need 2 since 2 points in the plane determine a line. However, we all make mistakes ( I make plenty!) and making sure that third point falls on the line you found from the other two is a good way to check for errors.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is it a good idea to locate 3 points when you graph an equation?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Math & Arithmetic

Why is it good practice to graph a linear equation by finding and plotting three points instead of two?

In case any of the points has been miscalculated you will not have a straight line - alerting to to the fact that there is a mistake.


Is a set of points in a coordinate plane the graph of a function if and only if no two points on the graph lie on the same horizontal line?

Of course not.The graph of [ f(x) = 4 ] is the straight line [ Y = 4 ] . . . a perfectly good function with all of its points on the same horizontal line.The graph of [ f(x) = x2 ] is the parabola with its nose at the origin and opening upwards. Another perfectly good function which has two points on every horizontal line [ Y = K ].In fact, I think probably every f(x) that has 'x to some power' in it always has at least two points on the same horizontal line.


How do you graph the equation y equals -x?

First, you look at the equation long enough to recognize that it's the equation of a straight line with [ slope = 1 ] and [ y-intercept = 0 ]. Then you draw that line. It passes through the origin, and slopes up toward the right at 45 degrees. As another technique, you could use the equation to calculate two points on the line, then mark the points on the graph, and draw a line between them. To calculate two points, choose two values for 'x', and then calculate the value of 'y' for each one. Let's just pick two numbers out of the blue for 'x': x = 2 and x = 9 . Can you use the equation [ y = x ] to calculate the value of 'y' that goes with each one ? That's right. Good work. When x=2, 'y' is also 2. And when x=9, 'y' is also 9. So now you have two points on the graph ... (2, 2) and (9, 9). Using a soft pencil, mark each of those two points on your graph with a small dot. Then, using the same pencil along with a ruler, draw a line that connects the two dots. You can extend the line as far as you want to, past either point, in either direction.


How do you graph a linear equation that has a fraction?

Y=2/3x+2 for instance that means up 2 and across 3. good luck /.\


Where is the x -acsies on a graph?

The x axis is the one that lies horizontal. It can be denoted by the equation y=0. A good way to remember this is to think "x is a cross" as in "x is across."

Related questions

Always use the vertex and at least points to graph each quadratic equation?

You should always use the vertex and at least two points to graph each quadratic equation. A good choice for two points are the intercepts of the quadratic equation.


What are used to locate and graph points in the Cartesian coordinate system?

Coordinants. If you're looking for an answer with 12 letters good luck..


Why is it good practice to graph a linear equation by finding and plotting three points instead of two?

In case any of the points has been miscalculated you will not have a straight line - alerting to to the fact that there is a mistake.


What are the steps for writing the equation of a function from a graph?

1. Decide if the graph looks like any standard type of graph you've seen before. Is it a type of sine or cosine? A quadratic? A circle or ellipse? A line? An exponential? (You get the idea.) If you can't find a standard type to match your desired graph, pick one that looks close to it and recognize that you will be doing an approximation to your function.2. Once you have an idea of what you're graph should be like, think about the equations that are used to describe that graph. Where do the numbers go and how do they affect how the graph looks/moves/ behaves? Some functions, such as circles, hyperbolas, and quadratics, have standard equations with variables based on the important features of the graph (such as the center, maximums or minimums).3. Find the important and/or interesting parts of the graph and use them in the equation. As stated before, ellipses and such have special equations to describe them. Sines and cosines require the amplitude, frequency, and phase shift.4. Check your equation if you can. It's always good to plug a few of the points that are in your graph to make sure your equation is accurate. It's especially good to try out points you did NOT use to find your equation. If it works for these, then you probably did it right.


A good description of a line graph?

A graph that displays data by using points joined together by line segments.


Is a set of points in a coordinate plane the graph of a function if and only if no two points on the graph lie on the same horizontal line?

Of course not.The graph of [ f(x) = 4 ] is the straight line [ Y = 4 ] . . . a perfectly good function with all of its points on the same horizontal line.The graph of [ f(x) = x2 ] is the parabola with its nose at the origin and opening upwards. Another perfectly good function which has two points on every horizontal line [ Y = K ].In fact, I think probably every f(x) that has 'x to some power' in it always has at least two points on the same horizontal line.


How do you graph the equation y equals -x?

First, you look at the equation long enough to recognize that it's the equation of a straight line with [ slope = 1 ] and [ y-intercept = 0 ]. Then you draw that line. It passes through the origin, and slopes up toward the right at 45 degrees. As another technique, you could use the equation to calculate two points on the line, then mark the points on the graph, and draw a line between them. To calculate two points, choose two values for 'x', and then calculate the value of 'y' for each one. Let's just pick two numbers out of the blue for 'x': x = 2 and x = 9 . Can you use the equation [ y = x ] to calculate the value of 'y' that goes with each one ? That's right. Good work. When x=2, 'y' is also 2. And when x=9, 'y' is also 9. So now you have two points on the graph ... (2, 2) and (9, 9). Using a soft pencil, mark each of those two points on your graph with a small dot. Then, using the same pencil along with a ruler, draw a line that connects the two dots. You can extend the line as far as you want to, past either point, in either direction.


How do you graph a linear equation that has a fraction?

Y=2/3x+2 for instance that means up 2 and across 3. good luck /.\


Why might a gardener want to graph a piece of vine from one grape species to the stem of another species?

You mean graft, not graph. Grafting is done to enable the resulting plant to benefit from the rootstock's good points and the scion's good points. Usually the new plant is better in important respects than either of the plants it was made from.


Why do you think a line graph is a good graph?

A line graph is good cause it is easier to read


When graphing why should you draw a smooth line that reflects the general pattern rather than automatically connect the data points?

If you want to draw a good graph, draw a smooth curve. If you just draw straight lines connecting the points, depending on which points you pick, you could get a really inaccurate graph. So, always plot a lot of points before drawing a line, and draw a smooth line!


How many points are needed to graph a linear equation Why is it always a good idea to use more points?

Two points are sufficient to uniquely determine a straight line. It is generally best to select point that are as far apart as possible. It is also a good idea to pick one extra point somewhere between the two extremes. It does not need t be exactly in the middle. This point acts as a check. If the three points are not in a straight line then there is an error in one of the calculations so you need to check back. If the points are in a line you should be OK. It is, of course, possible, that you made two (or more) matching errors but, hopefully, that is not very likely.