Find the X and Y Intercepts of a Line Using Algebra

When the equation is written in the slope-intercept form (y=mx+b) we can find the y-intercept by
looking at the equation. The value of b is the y-intercept. This is because the y-intercept is when
the x value equals 0. When x = 0, mx = 0, so when x = 0, y = b.
To find the x-intercept we set y = 0 and solve the equation for x. This is because when y=0 the
line crosses the x-axis.
When an equation is not in y = mx + b form, we can solve for the intercepts by plugging in 0 as
needed and solving for the remaining variable.
To find y-intercept: set x = 0 and solve for y. The point will be (0, y).
To find x-intercept: set y = 0 and solve for x. The point will be (x, 0).
Examples:

1. Find the y-intercept of the line: y=−3x−9

Solution: To find y-intercept: set x = 0 and solve for y. The point will be (0,y):
y = -3x – 9
Substitute 0 in for x:
y = -3(0) – 9
Multiply 3 times 0, which gives us:
y = -9
So the y-intercept is (0,-9)

2. Find the x-intercept of the line: y=−4x+12

Solution: Transpose the -4x to the left side of the equation which gives us:
4x + y = 12
To find x-intercept: set y = 0 and solve for x. The point will be (x,0): 4x + y = 12
Substitute 0 in for y:
4x + 0 = 12
Divide both sides by 4 to get the value of x:
4 x 12
= , which gives us,
4 4
x=3
So the x-intercept is (3, 0)

3. Find the y-intercept of the line: y − 9 = 3x

Solution: To find y-intercept: set x = 0 and solve for y. The point will be (0,y):
y − 9 = 3x
Substitute 0 in for x:
y − 9 = 3 (0)
 Multiply 3 times 0, which gives us:
y − 9 = 0
Then add 9 to both sides to isolate y:
y − 9 + 9 = 0 + 9
Which gives us:
y=9
So the y-intercept is (0,9)

4. Find the x-intercept of the line: 5x+4y=−20

Try These!
1. Find the x-intercept of the line: y + 12 = 2x
2. Find the y-intercept of the line: x + 6y = -24