Graphing Lines Using Points
Learning Outcomes
- Use intercepts to graph a line
- Use intercepts combined with a third point to graph a line
- Determine the most convenient way to graph a line given it's equation
Graph a Line Using the Intercepts
To graph a linear equation by plotting points, you can use the intercepts as two of your three points. Find the two intercepts, and then a third point to ensure accuracy, and draw the line. This method is often the quickest way to graph a line.example
Graph using intercepts.Answer: Solution First, find the . Let , The is . Now find the . Let . The is . Find a third point. We’ll use , A third solution to the equation is . Summarize the three points in a table and then plot them on a graph.
x | y | (x,y) |
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[ohm_question]146999[/ohm_question]Graph a line using the intercepts
- Find the and of the line.
- Let and solve for
- Let and solve for .
- Find a third solution to the equation.
- Plot the three points and then check that they line up.
- Draw the line.
example
Graph using intercepts.Answer:
Solution
Find the intercepts and a third point.
We list the points and show the graph.

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[ohm_question]146998[/ohm_question]example
Graph using the intercepts.Answer:
Solution
This line has only one intercept! It is the point .
To ensure accuracy, we need to plot three points. Since the intercepts are the same point, we need two more points to graph the line. As always, we can choose any values for , so we’ll let be and .
Organize the points in a table.

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[ohm_question]147001[/ohm_question]Choosing the Most Convenient Way to Graph a Line Given an Equation
While we could graph any linear equation by plotting points, it may not always be the most convenient method. This table shows six of equations we’ve graphed in this chapter, and the methods we used to graph them.
Equation | Method | |
---|---|---|
#1 | Plotting points | |
#2 | Plotting points | |
#3 | Vertical line | |
#4 | Horizontal line | |
#5 | Intercepts | |
#6 | Intercepts |
Choose the most convenient method to graph a line
- If the equation has only one variable. It is a vertical or horizontal line.
- is a vertical line passing through the at
- is a horizontal line passing through the at .
- If is isolated on one side of the equation. Graph by plotting points.
- Choose any three values for and then solve for the corresponding values.
- If the equation is of the form , find the intercepts.
- Find the and intercepts and then a third point.