how can i understand x an y intercepts

Question

what is it how can i tell the difference of it how can i do a problem

Answer 1

x and y intercepts are the points in which your line crossing x axcis and y axcis . For the streight line given by  linear function y=ax+b we find coordinates of the point A represent x intercept  using value for the second coordinate y=0 then return this value to linear function

0=ax+b       subtract b from both sides

-b     -b

-b=ax          divide by a which id different then 0

-b/a=x

X-itercept is a point A(-b/a, 0)

 

For y intercept point B (x.y) our first coordinate x=0, return this value to the linear function y=ax+b

y=a*0+b 

Y=0+b

y=b

 y intercept is a point B(0,b)

    Example y=2x+6. For x intercept  y=0, return to linear function and in the place oy poot its value 

                0=2x+6    subtract  6

               -6      -6

               -6=2x          divide by 2

               -3=x                                                                                                     

X intercept points is a point A(-3,0)                                                                                                                        

 

   For the y intercept point B(x,y)  x=0, return to linear function and in the place of x poot its value

               y=2x+6

               y=2*0+6

               y=0+6

               y=6

x intercept is a point B(0,6).

 

For the special types of linear equations:

1. When a=0 liner function is y=b we have parallel lines with x axcise, crosing only y axcise and there are only y intercept B(0,b)

2. When a=0 and b=0 linear function is y=0, which is equation of the x axcise. In this case y intercept is the orgin point O(0,0) and x-intercepts is are all points of the x axcise A(x,0); x can be any real number. This means infinite many x intercept points.

3. When a is not 0 and b=0 we have x intercept point A(0,0) and y intercept point B(0,0).

4. For the linear equation x=c, c is constant value, we have parallel line with y axcise crosing x axcise at the point A(c,0) and there is no y intersect because there are parallel lines.

Answer 2

An x intercept is an x-value at which its corresponding y-value is equal to 0

A y intercept is a y-value at which its corresponding x-value is equal to 0. 

An easy way of visualizing it is the point(s) at which a graph intersects with the x axis is/are the x-intercepts. Similarly, the point at which a graph intersects with the y axis is the y-intercept. 

When doing problems, often questions will provide you with an equation and ask you to solve for the respective intercepts. If you are looking for the x-intercepts, simply set y=0 in the equation and solve for x. If you are looking for the y-intercept, set x=0 in the equation and solve for y. 

A sample problem and solution can be found here: http://www.purplemath.com/modules/intrcept.htm

Hope this helps! :)