EDGE Math 8

Intercepts of a Graph

To get the x-intercept of the graph of an equation, set the variable y equal to zero and solve for x. To get the y-intercept of the graph of an equation, set the variable x equal to zero and solve for y.

Example

Find the intercepts of the graph of the equation $2 x - 3 y = 6.$

Solution

To find the x-intercept, set $y = 0$ in the equation and solve for x. You will get the following:

\begin{array}{l} 2 x - 3 (0) = 6 \\ 2 x = 6 \\ x = 3. \end{array}

To find the y-intercept, set $x = 0$ in the equation and solve for y. You will get the following:

\begin{array}{l} 2 (0) - 3 y = 6 \\ - 3 y = 6 \\ y = - 2. \end{array}

Thus, the x-intercept is 3 and the y-intercept is –2.