Week 12 – Intercepts

This week in math we learned about intercepts. Intercepts are the points on the graph where the line touches either the x or y axis. You can also find the x or y intercepts given a equation. This is done by replacing either the x or y values with zero and solving for x or y.

To find the x intercept, you replace the value of y in your expression with zero. If you are finding the y intercept, you replace the value of x with zero. Then solve the expression.

Example equation: 3x + 2y = 24

X- intercept:

3x + 2(0) = 24

3x = 24

x= 8

X-intercept = (8, 0)

Y- intercept:

3(0) + 2y = 24

2y = 24

y = 12

Y-intercept = (0, 12)

Week 11 – Factoring Polynomial Expressions

This week in math we learned about the steps for factoring polynomial expressions. These steps can be remembered using the acronym CDPEU. It’s not necessary to remember it but if it works for you, use it.

C – Common Factors

D – Difference of squares

P – Patterns within the polynomial

E – Easy – Is the leading coefficient 1 and is the expression easy to factor

U – Ugly – The expression is not easy to factor and will require further work

Also always remember to fully factor/simplify your expressions.

Example: 8$x^4$ + 10$x^2$-3

(4$x^2$ -1) (2$x^2$ + 3)

This can then be simplified to:

(2x + 1) (2x – 1) (2$x^2$ + 3)