Q. Drag the red and blue dots along the \(x\)-axis and \(y\)-axis to graph \(-3x + 6y = 21\).
Answer
Set \( y = 0 \):
\[ -3x + 6(0) = 21, \quad -3x = 21, \quad x = -7 \]
Detailed Explanation
- Goal: Graph the line given by the equation
\[
-3x + 6y = 21.
\]
I will find the x-intercept and y-intercept (these are the points you will place the dots on) and then connect them to draw the line. - Find the x-intercept (set y equal to 0):Substitute y = 0 into the equation and solve for x.\[
-3x + 6(0) = 21
\]
\[
-3x = 21
\]
Divide both sides by -3:
\[
x = \frac{21}{-3} = -7.
\]Therefore the x-intercept is the point \((-7,\,0)\).
Action: Drag the dot on the x-axis to the coordinate (-7, 0). (If you must choose a color, place the red dot at (-7, 0).)
- Find the y-intercept (set x equal to 0):Substitute x = 0 into the equation and solve for y.\[
-3(0) + 6y = 21
\]
\[
6y = 21
\]
Divide both sides by 6:
\[
y = \frac{21}{6} = \frac{7}{2} = 3.5.
\]Therefore the y-intercept is the point \((0,\,\tfrac{7}{2})\) or \((0,\,3.5)\).
Action: Drag the dot on the y-axis to the coordinate (0, 7/2). (If you must choose a color, place the blue dot at (0, 7/2).)
- Draw the line through the two intercepts:Now plot the two points you placed: (-7, 0) on the x-axis and (0, 7/2) on the y-axis. Draw a straight line through these two points. That line is the graph of the equation.Optional verification by converting to slope-intercept form:
\[
-3x + 6y = 21
\]
Add 3x to both sides:
\[
6y = 3x + 21
\]
Divide by 6:
\[
y = \tfrac{1}{2}x + \tfrac{7}{2}.
\]The y-intercept is \((0, \tfrac{7}{2})\), and the slope is \(\tfrac{1}{2}\). A line with slope \(\tfrac{1}{2}\) passing through \((0, \tfrac{7}{2})\) indeed passes through \((-7, 0)\). This confirms the two plotted intercepts are correct.
Graph
Algebra FAQs
What are the x- and y-intercepts of \(-3x+6y=21\)?.
How do I convert \(-3x+6y=21\) to slope-intercept form?
Where should I place the red and blue dots on the axes?
How do I draw the line after placing the dots?
What if the grid ticks are integers and \( \frac{7}{2} \) is between marks?
How can I check my plotted line is correct?
How is the slope interpreted on the graph?
Can I simplify the equation before graphing?
Start with our AI homework tools.
Analytical, General, Biochemistry, etc.