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Which of the equations below represents a line parallel to the x-axis?

a. x=5
b. y=1/x
c. y=x
d. y=5

User Franmon
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1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

d. y=5

Explanation:

The equation of a line parallel to the x-axis will always be in the form y=b, where b is the y-intercept (where on the y-axis the line crosses). So, for y=5, the line crosses the y-axis when y is equal to 5.

The equation of a line parallel to the y-axis will always be in the form x=d, where d is the x-intercept (where on the x-axis the line crosses). So, for option a, x=5, it is a vertical line that crosses the x-axis when x is equal to 5. It is therefore not parallel to the x-axis.

Option b gives an equation that isn't for a linear relation entirely.

Linear equations are typically given in the form y=mx+b, where m is the slope of the line and b is, again, the y-intercept. Option c presents the equation of y=x, and this can be rewritten as y=1x+0. In other words, the slope of the line is 1 and it crosses the y axis when y is equal to 0. Lines that are parallel to the x-axis will always have a slope of 0, so therefore, this line is not parallel to the x-axis.

I hope this helps!

User Misha Rudrastyh
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