Intercepts

The x-intercept is the point where the line crosses the x-axis. It is found by setting y = 0
and solving the resulting equation. The y-intercept is the point where the line crosses
the y-axis. It is found by setting x = 0 and solving the resulting equation.

May be graphed on the x, y plane as this equation:

y = mx + b
This equation is called the slope-intercept form for a line.
The graph of this equation is a straight line.
The slope of the line is m.
The line crosses the y-axis at b.
The point where the line crosses the y-axis is called the y-intercept.
The x, y coordinates for the y-intercept are (0, b).

Example: 1
Graph the equation x - 2y = 4.
Solution:
To find the x-intercept, set y = 0. This yields x - 2 0 = 4, or x = 4. So the x-intercept is
(4,0).To find the y-intercept, set x = 0. This yields 0 - 2y = 4, or y = - 2. So the y-
intercept is (0,- 2). Plotting these two points and connecting them with a straight line
yields

Example: 2

Find the x and y intercepts of the equation 3x + 4y = 12.

Solution:

To find the x-intercept, set y = 0 and solve for x.

3x + 4( 0 ) = 12

3x + 0 = 12

3x = 12

x = 12/3

x=4

To find the y-intercept, set x = 0 and solve for y.

3( 0 ) + 4y = 12

0 + 4y = 12

4y = 12

y = 12/4

y=3

Therefore, the x-intercept is ( 4, 0 ) and the y-intercept is ( 0, 3 ).

 Practice Question

1) Find the x and y intercepts of the equation 2x - 3y = -6.

A) (3,0) and (2,0)

B) (-3,0) and (0,2)

C) (0,3) and (0,2)

D) (0,-3) and (-2,0)

2) Find the x and y intercepts of the equation ( -3/4 )x + 12y = 9

A) (12,0) and (0,4)

B) (-12,0) and (0,3/4)

C) (0,12) and (4,0)

D) (9,2) and (0,1/4)

3) Find the x and y intercepts of the equation -2x + ( 1/2 )y = -3.

A) (3,0) and (0,6)

B) (3/2,0) and (6,0)

C) (3/2,0) and (0,-6)

D) (3/2,1) and (1,6)

4) Find the x and y-intercept of the equation 3x + 9y = 9

A) (3,0) and (0,1)

B) (-3,0) and (0,-1)

C) (4,0) and (0,2)

D) (5,0) and (0,-1)

5) Find x and y intercept for the line equation 4x + 5y = 9

A) (2.5,0) and (0,2)

B) (2.25,0) and (0,1.8)

C) (2.75,0) and (0,1.6)

D) (2.5,0) and (0,1.4)

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