Example

Graphing the Line Through (1,1)(1, -1) with Slope 34\frac{3}{4}

To graph the line passing through the point (1,1)(1, -1) with slope m=34m = \frac{3}{4}, apply the point-and-slope procedure.

Step 1 — Plot the given point. Mark (1,1)(1, -1) on the coordinate plane.

Step 2 — Identify the rise and the run. Write the slope as a fraction:

m=riserun=34m = \frac{\text{rise}}{\text{run}} = \frac{3}{4}

The rise is 33 and the run is 44.

Step 3 — Count the rise and run to mark the second point. Starting at (1,1)(1, -1), move up 33 units to reach (1,2)(1, 2), then move right 44 units to reach (5,2)(5, 2).

Step 4 — Connect the points with a line. Draw a straight line through (1,1)(1, -1) and (5,2)(5, 2) and extend it in both directions.

Checking with a third point. To verify the graph, a third point can be found by writing the slope with negative signs in both the numerator and denominator: m=34m = \frac{-3}{-4}, since a negative divided by a negative is positive. Returning to the starting point (1,1)(1, -1) and counting a rise of 3-3 (down 33 units) and a run of 4-4 (left 44 units) locates a third point at (3,4)(-3, -4). If this point falls on the same line, the graph is confirmed correct.

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Updated 2026-04-23

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