Question

Solve equation for Y and graph it.
5y-x=20

How do I go about solving and graphing this equation.

Answer 1

So what you first want to do is isolate y.

This could be done by first adding x to both sides:

5y - x + x = 20 + x

5y = x + 20

Then divide everything by 5.

y = 1/5x + 4

Now to graph this equation:

Slope intercept form is y = mx + b.

b would be the y intercept and m the slope.

So therefore you know that 4 is the y intercept.

So first just plot the point (0, 4), and then from there you can take the slope and graph it from there. So basically, the y goes up by 1/5 each time the x goes up by 1. So then you could graph it by looking at where 5 is on the x axis and then graphing one above 4 from there, if that makes any sense.

Answer 2

Let's worry about graphing this first:  5y-x=20

If you set x = 0, then y = 4, and the y-intercept is then (0,4).
If you set y = 0, then x = -20, and the x-intercept is (-20,0).

Plot these 2 pts and then draw a str. line thru them.  Done!

If you wish to solve 5y-x=20 for y:  

1) add x to both sides:    5y = 20
2) divide both sides by 5:  y = 4