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Straight-line graphs
Lesson 12 of 13

Plotting lines from an equation

Objective. Plot a straight line by making a small table of values.

The key idea

Choose three x-values, substitute to find y, plot and join. Three points let you spot an arithmetic slip.

Worked example

Plot y = 2x − 1 for x = 0, 1, 2.

Plot y = 2x − 1 for x = 0
Coordinate grid with the line Plot y = 2x − 1 for x = 0
  1. 1x = 0 gives y = −1.
  2. 2x = 1 gives y = 1.
  3. 3x = 2 gives y = 3. Points: (0,−1), (1,1), (2,3).

Answer: A line through (0, −1) with gradient 2

Practice

Each question comes with a picture and a listen button. Try it first, then reveal the answer.

Common mistake. Joining only two points and never noticing a mis-plot.

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