Math Graphing Question

Question

Find the distance between the x-intercept and the y-intercept of the graph of the equation 5x - 12y = 60.

Answer 1

Hi Sarah, 

The first thing you would need to do is find the x-intercept. 

So to do that you would need to set y=0 and solve for x first. 

5x-12(0)=60

5x-0=60

5x=60+

x=12

so the x-intercept would be (12,0)

Next you need to find the y-intercept by setting x=0 and solving for y:

5(0)-12y=60

0-12y=60 

-12y=60

y=-5, so the y-intercept is (0,-5)

 

Now to find the distance between the two you need to use the distance formula and plug in the coordinates. 

The distance formula is √(x₂-x₁)²+(y_2-y₁)²

 

So it would be √(12-0)²+(0-(-5))²

√ 12²+5²

√144+25

√169

which =14.0833

 

Let me know if you have any questions! I hope this helps!