x and y intercepts for y=x^2-4x-12

Question

Find the x and y intercepts for the equation.

Answer 1

y = x² - 4x - 12

 

y intercept is calculated by plugging in 0 to x:

 

y_intercept = 0² - 4(0) - 12

 

y_intercept = -12    ---> point (0, -12)

 

x intercept is calculated by plugging in 0 to y:

 

0 =  x² - 4x - 12

 

we factor out above equation:

 

(x - 6) (x + 2)  = 0

 

so, x = 6 or x  = -2

 

so we have two x intercepts:

 

(6, 0) and (-2, 0)