In this equation we have a relationship between two variables x and y. It shows how one variable changes as the other changes and it can be represented by a straight line graph. The equation can be divided through by 3 without changing the relationship: x-3y=1. In standard linear form it would be written as 3y=x-1 or y=x/3-1/3. If the intercepts are marked on the rectangular axes, -1/3 on the y-axis and 1 on the x-axis and a straight line drawn through these points, the line represents the relationship between x and y.