If a in y = ax is negative, the line descends on the graph, sloping downward from left to right. The negative sign indicates a decrease in y as x increases.
In the equation y = ax, when the coefficient a is negative, the line it describes is downward-sloping. This means that as you move from left to right along the graph, the values of y decrease.
The negative sign of a indicates a descending trend in the line. This holds true for linear equations, where a represents the slope of the line.
The steeper the absolute value of a, the more pronounced the descent. This understanding is fundamental in interpreting the behavior and direction of lines in Cartesian coordinates, providing insight into how changes in x affect y on the graph.