Example 6: Plotting a Line

Draw the graph of the line

4x + 2y + 3 = 0.

First solve for y as a function of x:

y = -2x - 3/2

Next select any two values for x, say x = 0 and x = 1, and compute the corresponding values of y.

When

x = 0, y = -3/2.

When

x = 1, y = -7/2.

Finally, plot the two points (0, -3/2) and (1, -7/2), and draw the line through them. (See Figure 1.3.8.)