y = (-1/2)x is a linear function; its graph is a straight line. Because of the neg. sign, the line slopes downward as you move from left to right.
Compare y = (-1/2)x to the general form y = mx + b. Thru this comparison you can deduce that m = the slope = -1/2, and that there is no y-intercept other than the origin (the graph goes through the origin).
To graph this, put a dark dot at (0,0) (the origin). Now move y our pencil point 2 spaces to the right and from this new point one step down. Put a dark dot there. Draw a str. line thru these two dots.
