The x- and y-Intercepts of a Line

The x-coordinate of the point where the line crosses the x-axis is called the x-intercept of the line.

The y-coordinate of the point where the line crosses the y-axis is called the y-intercept of the line.

Definition

The x-intercept of the line is at x = 5.

The y-intercept of the line is at y = 300.

➢ To find the x- and y-intercepts of a linear equation, substitute 0 for one of the variables and solve for the other.

Find the x- and y-intercepts of the equation y - 3x = 36. Then graph the line.● To find the x-intercept, let y = 0, and solve for x. y = 0 0 - 3x = 36 x = -12 The x-intercept is at x = -12, so (-12,0) on the graph.

On Graph Paper

● To find the y-intercept, let x = 0, and solve for y. x = 0 y - 3(0) = 36 y = 36

The y-intercept is at y = 36, so (0, 36) is on the graph.

● To graph the equation, graph (-12, 0) and (0,36). Then draw a line through the points.

To find the x- and y-intercepts of a given line.● Look at the graph.● The line crosses the x-axis at (1.5,

0), and it crosses the y-axis at (0,-1).

● So, the x-intercept of the line is at x=1.5, and the y-intercept of the line is at y = -1.

Find the x- and y-intercepts of each line.

Find the x- and y-intercepts of each equation. Then graph the line.1. y = -3x - 12. y = 11x - 113. -2x + y = 8