Question 28·Easy·Linear Equations in Two Variables
The table shows three values of and their corresponding values of .
| x | y |
|---|---|
| 0 | 18 |
| 1 | 13 |
| 2 | 8 |
There is a linear relationship between and . Which of the following equations represents this relationship?
For linear-equation-from-table questions, first check how changes when increases by 1 to get the slope quickly. Then write using that slope, and use the point where (if given) or any other point to solve for . Finally, match the resulting equation to the answer choices, and as a quick check, plug one or two table points into your chosen equation to confirm it fits.
Hints
Look at how y changes
Compare the -values in the table as increases from 0 to 1 to 2. By how much does change each time increases by 1?
Connect the change to the slope
Remember that the slope of a line is the change in divided by the change in . Use the pattern you found in the table to find the slope.
Use the point where x = 0
Once you know the slope and use the form , which point in the table immediately tells you the value of ?
Desmos Guide
Enter the table points
In Desmos, add a table and enter the three points from the question: , , and .
Graph each answer choice
Type each option as a separate equation in Desmos: y = 18x + 13, y = 18x + 18, y = -5x + 13, and y = -5x + 18. Each will appear as a line on the graph.
Check which line passes through all three points
Look at which line goes exactly through all three plotted points from the table. The equation of that line is the correct choice.
Step-by-step Explanation
Use the pattern in the table to find the slope
Look at how changes when increases by 1.
- From to : goes from to , a change of .
- From to : goes from to , a change of .
Because the change in is always when increases by 1, the slope is .
Write the general form of the line with this slope
Any linear equation with slope can be written as
where is the -intercept (the value of when ).
Use a point from the table to find the y-intercept
Use the point where , because that directly gives the -intercept.
From the table, when , .
Substitute and into :
So the -intercept is . The equation becomes
This matches answer choice D.