Finding the

X and Y intercepts of
A polynomial;
- The y- intercept of a polynomial function is the
point where the function has an input value of zero.

- The x- intercepts are the points where the output

value is zero.

- A polynomial of degree n will have, at most, n

intercepts and (n-1) turning points.
Methods that will be used for this afternoon. To solve
for the x and y intercepts.

- Rational Root Theorem

- Using the factored form of a polynomial

Example No.1
Find the intercepts of y =
Use Rational Root Theorem.

The first thing to do is to find the constant term’s

possible factors and the leading coefficient’s factors.
Example No.1
Find the intercepts of y =
Use Rational Root Theorem.

The first thing to do is to find the constant term’s

possible factors and the leading coefficient’s factors.

P = 10: 1,-1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, -10

Q = 1: 1, -1
Now to find the possible rational roots we divide the
constant term’s factors by the leading coefficient’s
factors.

Since the factors are 1 it would remain the same.

Now to find the possible rational roots we divide the
constant term’s factors by the leading coefficient’s
factors.

Since the factors are 1 it would remain the same.

1, -1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, -10

After getting the possible rational roots. It is time for
trial and error, our goal is to solve for 3 zeroes
because our degree is 3. The way we solve it by trial
and error is by trying each possible rational root
until we get 3 zeroes.

1, -1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, -10

1, -1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, -10

First lets try by substituting positive 1.

P (1) = =
1, -1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, -10

First lets try by substituting positive 1.

P (1) = = 8

Since we got 8, positive 1 is not viable let us now

proceed to negative 1.
1, -1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, -10

P (-1) =

P (2) =

P (-2) =

P (5) =
1, -1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, -10

P (-1) = 0

P (2) = 0

P (-2) = -28

P (5) = 0
After finding three zeroes we can now determine the
x intercepts of the polynomial
Which is:

-1, 2, 5 or in coordinate points (-1, 0) ( 2, 0) and

( 5, 0)
Now to find the y intercept of the polynomial we
simply set x = 0

y =

y =

now simplify.
Now to find the y intercept of the polynomial we
simply set x = 0

y =

y =

now simplify.

We get y = 10 that will serve as our y intercept or

in coordinate points ( 0, 10)
The x and y intercept of the polynomial
y =

X intercepts = -1, 2, 5 or (-1,0) ( 2,0) and ( 5,0)

y intercept = 10 or (0, 10)