The graph of y = 1/4x -3 is shown above. Which of the following statements is true?

Responses
A. (12,0) is a solution to the equation but is not a point on the graph.open paren 12 comma 0 close paren is a solution to the equation but is not a point on the graph.
B. (0,1.5) is a solution to the equation and is a point on the graph.open paren 0 comma 1 point 5 close paren is a solution to the equation and is a point on the graph.
C. (4, -1.5)is not a solution to the equation but is a point on the graph.open paren 4 comma negative 1 point 5 close paren is not a solution to the equation but is a point on the graph.
D. (-1, -3.25) is a solution to the equation and is a point on the graph.open paren negative 1 comma negative 3 point 2 5 close paren is a solution to the equation and is a point on the graph.

1 answer

To evaluate which of the statements A, B, C, or D is true regarding the equation \( y = \frac{1}{4}x - 3 \), let's analyze each of the provided points:

  1. Statement A: (12, 0) is a solution to the equation but is not a point on the graph.

    • Substitute \( x = 12 \) into the equation: \[ y = \frac{1}{4}(12) - 3 = 3 - 3 = 0 \] Thus, the point \( (12, 0) \) is indeed a solution to the equation.
    • However, since this point gives a correct \( y \)-value and it corresponds to an \( x \) value we just calculated, it is also on the graph. Hence, this statement is false.
  2. Statement B: (0, 1.5) is a solution to the equation and is a point on the graph.

    • Substitute \( x = 0 \) into the equation: \[ y = \frac{1}{4}(0) - 3 = 0 - 3 = -3 \] The point \( (0, 1.5) \) gives \( y = 1.5 \), which does not match. Thus, this point is not a solution to the equation. This statement is false.
  3. Statement C: (4, -1.5) is not a solution to the equation but is a point on the graph.

    • Substitute \( x = 4 \) into the equation: \[ y = \frac{1}{4}(4) - 3 = 1 - 3 = -2 \] The point \( (4, -1.5) \) gives \( y = -1.5 \), which does not match. Therefore, it is not a solution.
    • However, we check if \( (4, -1.5) \) can be on the graph. Since \( -1.5 \) does not equal \( -2 \), this point is also not on the graph. Hence, this statement is false.
  4. Statement D: (-1, -3.25) is a solution to the equation and is a point on the graph.

    • Substitute \( x = -1 \) into the equation: \[ y = \frac{1}{4}(-1) - 3 = -0.25 - 3 = -3.25 \] The point \( (-1, -3.25) \) gives a matching \( y \)-value. Thus, this point is both a solution and is on the graph. Hence, this statement is true.

Since the only true statement is D, the answer is:

D. (-1, -3.25) is a solution to the equation and is a point on the graph.