How do you graph #\frac { x } { 3} - \frac { y } { 7} = - 17#?

Question

913 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2017-10-20T18:51:57

See explanation

enter image source here

There are many ways to do this problem. Here is one way:

Let's get this equation into standard form by fraction busting this equation by multiplying every term by #21#. So:

#(21x)/3-(21y)/7=(21)(-17)#

#7x-3y=-357#

Then find #x# and #y# intercepts by plugging in #0# for #x# and #y#:

#7(0)-3y=-357#

#-3y=-357#

#y=119# OR as a point: #(0,119)#

#7x-3(0)=-357#

#7x=-357#

#x=-51# OR as a point: #(-51, 0)#

Then plot those two points on a graph and connect the dots with a straight line to get the graph in the answer.