# How do you graph y=1/4x-4 by plotting points?

Jul 7, 2015

You need only two points to plot your function, that represents a straight line.

#### Explanation:

This is a linear function that will give you, when plotted, a straight line.
First you can see that the slope of your line is positive $m = \frac{1}{4}$ so your line is "going up" (from left to right).
Also, the line crosses the y-axis at $- 4$.
So basically when $x = 0$ then $y = - 4$. This is one of the points you need.
To plot a line you need only 2 points, so, the next could be chosen at $x = 4$ that gives you:
$x = 4$ then $y = \frac{1}{4} \cdot 4 - 4 = 1 - 4 = - 3$

So, you can now plot your line through points of coordinates:
${P}_{1}$: $x = 0 , y = - 4$
${P}_{2}$: $x = 4 , y = - 3$