Identify the correct x intercept and y intercept of the equation x + 7y = -21.

Question

Not understanding 

Answer 1

x + 7y = -21 

Dividing both sides by -21 we get,  x/-21 + y/(-3) = 1  which is in the form x/a +y/b = 1 where a and b are the intercepts on the x- and y-axis respectively.

thus the intercept on x axis is -21 and that on the y-axis is -3. 

Answer 2

The x intercept of a line is the value of x at the point where the line intercepts the x-axis.

It can be found by setting the value of y to 0 and solving for x.

 So in this case x = -21.

The y intercept of a line is the value of y at the point where the line intercepts the y-axis.

It can be found by setting the value of x to 0 and solving for y.

So in this case 7y = -21 and y = -3.

Horizontal and vertical lines are special cases where this definition and method has some differences.