Intercepts

M. Pickens 2006
Objectives

To learn what intercepts are

To learn how to find x and y-intercepts
of a graph
To learn how to find x and y-intercepts
of an equation
To use x and y-intercepts to sketch a
graph

M. Pickens 2006
What are intercepts?

An intercept is where something

intersects or touches

For example,
an x-intercept is where it touches the x-axis

a y-intercept is where it touches the y-axis

M. Pickens 2006
Intercepts of a Graph
y
What are the x-
intercept and y- (0, 7)
intercept of the
graph at right?

x
X-intercept: (5, 0) (5, 0)

Y-intercept: (0, 7)
Where
Where itit touches
touches the
the y-axis
x-axis
M. Pickens 2006
Intercepts of a Graph
y
What are the x-
intercept and y-
(0, 6)
intercept of the
graph at right?

x
X-intercept: (-8, 0) (-8, 0)

Y-intercept: (0, 6)
Where
Where itit touches
touches the
the y-axis
x-axis
M. Pickens 2006
Intercepts of a Graph
What are the x and y-intercepts of the graphs below?

Notice:
For all the
x-intercepts the
0
y-coordinate is ____

For all the

y-intercepts the
0
x-coordinate is ____ X-intercept: (-9, 0)
X-intercept: (3, 0)
Y-intercept: (0, -5)
Y-intercept: (0, -8)
M. Pickens 2006
Which are which?

Which of the coordinates below are x-intercepts?

T, V, W, X
Which of the coordinates below are y-intercepts?
S, U, W, Y

R(3, 5) S(0, 9) T(-2, 0) U(0, 1) V(15, 0)

W(0, 0) X( , 0) Y(0, 8) Z(1, 0.5)

M. Pickens 2006
Intercepts of an Equation

We know for an x-intercept the

______________
Y-coordinate is 0
In the y-intercept the ___________
x-coordinate is 0
We can use this to solve equations.
To solve for an x-intercept plug in a 0 for y.
To solve for a y-intercept plug in a 0 for x.

M. Pickens 2006
Intercepts of an Equation
Find the x and y-intercepts of the
equation -2x + 3y = 19

To find the x-intercept To find the y-intercept

y
plug in 0 for _____ x
plug in 0 for _____
-2x + 3y = 19 -2x + 3y = 19
-2x + 3(0) = 19 -2(0) + 3y = 19
-2x + 0 = 19 0 + 3y = 19
-2x = 19 3y = 19
-2 -2 3 3
x = -9.5 ( -9.5, 0) y = 6.3 ( 0, 6.3)
M. Pickens 2006
Intercepts of an Equation
Find the x and y-intercepts of the equation
4
y x 16
5
To find the x-intercept plug in 0 for _____ y
4
y x 16 To find the y-intercept plug
5 x
in 0 for _____
4
0 x 16 4
- 16
5
-16
y x 16
5
4 4
5* 16 x *5 y (0) 16
5 5
-80=-4x
y 0 16
x = 20 (20, 0) y = 16 (0, 16)
M. Pickens 2006
Sketching a Graph from Intercepts
Find the intercept of the equation 3x + y =12
and sketch the graph
X-intercept: (Plug in 0 for y)
3x + 0 = 12
3x = 12
x=4 (4, 0)
Y-intercept: (Plug in 0 for x)
3(0) + y = 12
0 + y = 12
y = 12 (0, 12)

M. Pickens 2006
Sketching a Graph from Intercepts
1
Find the intercept of the equation y x 3
2
and sketch the graph
X-intercept: (Plug in 0 for y)
1 1
0 x 3 2* 3 x *2
+3
2 +3 2
x=6 (6, 0)
Y-intercept: (Plug in 0 for x)
1
y (0) 3
2
y=03
y = -3 (0, -3)
M. Pickens 2006
Conclusion

Intercept is : Where
_____________________
something intersects or touches
The x-intercept is _________________
Where it touches the x-axis
The y-intercept is _________________
Where it touches the y-axis
To find the x-intercept of an equation
Plug in 0 for Y
____________________
To find the y-intercept of an equation
Plug in 0 for X
____________________

M. Pickens 2006