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Ch. 1 - Equations and Inequalities
Blitzer - College Algebra 8th Edition
Blitzer8th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136970514Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 2, Problem 48a

Write each English sentence as an equation in two variables. Then graph the equation. The y-value is the difference between four and twice the x-value.

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Step 1: Start by translating the English sentence into a mathematical equation. The sentence states that the y-value is the difference between four and twice the x-value. This can be written as: y = 4 - 2x.
Step 2: Identify the two variables in the equation. Here, x is the independent variable, and y is the dependent variable.
Step 3: To graph the equation, create a table of values. Choose a few values for x (e.g., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2) and calculate the corresponding y values using the equation y = 4 - 2x.
Step 4: Plot the points from the table of values on a coordinate plane. For example, if x = 0, then y = 4, so one point is (0, 4). Repeat this for all chosen x values.
Step 5: Draw a straight line through the plotted points, as the equation y = 4 - 2x represents a linear relationship. Label the graph appropriately with axes and scales.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Linear Equations

Linear equations are mathematical statements that express a relationship between two variables, typically in the form y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. In this context, the equation represents a straight line on a graph, which can be derived from the given English sentence.
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Graphing Equations

Graphing equations involves plotting points on a coordinate plane to visually represent the relationship between the variables. For linear equations, this results in a straight line, which can be created by identifying key points, such as the y-intercept and additional points derived from the equation.
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Translating English Sentences to Equations

Translating English sentences into mathematical equations requires understanding the relationships described in the sentence. In this case, phrases like 'the difference between' and 'twice the x-value' indicate how to structure the equation, leading to a mathematical representation of the verbal statement.
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