Intercepts

A typical coordinate is (x,y) or (4,6), (-9,3). Intercepts are the point in a graph where the coordinate/information intersects with the x-axis or y-axis. The coordinate for the x-intercept will always have the y as a zero (x,0). The coordinate for the y-intercept will always have the x as a zero (0,y).

To find the x-intercept or y-intercept in an equation we must replace the other number in the coordinate with a zero. We can then use algebra (BEDMAS) to find the intercept.
Example: Find the x-intercept of y = 15 – 6x.
y = 15 – 6x
0 = 15 – 6x
0 -15 = 15 – 15 – 6x
-15/-6 = – 6x/-6
= x

We can also determine the the intercepts by looking at a graph.