Question

What is the best first step to write this linear equation in slope-intercept form?

1 7 x + y = -8


A) Subtract 1/7x on both sides of the equals sign
B) Multiply 7 on both sides of the equals sign
C) The equation is already in slope-intercept form
D) Subtract y on both sides of the equals sign

Answer 1

subtract the term in "x" (1/7 x) on both sides of the equal sign

Explanation:

Recall that in order to get a linear equation in slope-intercept form, all is needed is to solve for for "y" in the equation. That means isolate the variable "y" on one side of the equal sign.

In order to do such, all is needed in the given equation:
`(1)/(7) x+y=-8`, is to subtract the term in "x" on both sides of the equal sign, so the term disappears on the left, leaving the variable "y" on its own:

`(1)/(7) x+y=-8\\(1)/(7) x-(1)/(7) x+y=-8-(1)/(7)x\\ y=-(1)/(7) x-8`

This last expression is now the equation of the line in slope-intercept form.