Graph of a Linear Equation - Horizontal and Vertical Lines

Example, videos and solutions to help Grade 8 students learn how to predict the shape of a graph of a linear equation by finding and plotting solutions on a coordinate plane.

New York State Common Core Math Grade 8, Module 4, Lesson 14

Worksheets for Grade 8

Lesson 14 Outcome

• Students graph linear equations in standard form, ax + by = c(a or b = 0), that produce a horizontal or a vertical line.

Lesson 14 Summary

• A linear equation in standard form, ax + by = c, where a = 1 and b = 0 is the graph of the equation x = c. The graph of x = c is the vertical line passing through the point (c, 0).
  
• A linear equation in standard form, ax + by = c where a = 0 and b = 1 is the graph of the equation y = c. The graph of is the horizontal line passing through the point (0, c).

Exercises 1 - 12

1. Find at least solutions to graph the linear equation 1x + 2y = 5.
2. Find at least solutions to graph the linear equation 1x + 0y = 5.
3. What was different about the equations in Exercises 1 and 2? What effect did this change have on the graph?
4. Graph the linear equation x = -2.
5. Graph the linear equation x = 3.
6. What will the graph of x = 0 look like?
7. Find at least 4 solutions to graph the linear equation 2x + 1y = 2.
8. Find at least solutions to graph the linear equation 0x + 1y = 2.
9. What was different about the equations in Exercises 7 and 8? What effect did this change have on the graph?
10. Graph the linear equation y = -2.
11. Graph the linear equation y = 3.
12. What will the graph of y = 0 look like?

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