Sketch the graph of y = 5 - 7x

The key points with graph sketching are to think about the shape of the curve, any turning points, and the intercepts with the y- and x- axes. This curve is linear in x, and is therefore a straight line (obviously has the form y = mx + c). From the general equation of a straight line y = mx + c, we can deduce the value of m, the gradient ( = -7), and c, the y intercept ( = 5). We can also obtain the value of the x intercept by setting y to 0. From this information we can easily sketch the curve on a set of axes.