Introduction to X and Y Intercepts

X & Y Intercepts

by Shalynne Orth

​What are x- and y-intercepts?

​The X-INTERCEPT is where the graph crosses the x-axis. It occurs where y=0.

​

​​The Y-INTERCEPT is where the graph crosses the y-axis. It occurs where x=0.

​

​Standard form of a linear equation is especially helpful for finding intercepts! (Recall: standard form is ax+by=c.)

Multiple Choice

Is the point (3, 0) an x-intercept, a y-intercept, both, or neither?

• x-intercept

• y-intercept

• both

• neither

Multiple Choice

Is the point (0, -5) an x-intercept, a y-intercept, both or neither?

• x-intercept

• y-intercept

• both

• neither

Multiple Choice

Is the point (5, 5) an x-intercept, a y-intercept, both or neither?

• x-intercept

• y-intercept

• both

• neither

Multiple Choice

What is the point (0, 0)?

• x-intercept

• y-intercept

• both

• neither

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

Identify the graph with a x-intercept of 3 and a y-intercept of - 1

​How do I find intercepts algebraically?

​x-intercepts: Plug in y=0 and solve for x

​

​y-intercepts: Plug in x=0 and solve for y.

​

​Write this example down and put the paper in your binder for notes!

​Another example

​Write this one down, too!

​Remember....

​You ALWAYS have the option of going to www.desmos.com and typing in the equation.

​

​The equation will be graphed automatically.

​

​Hover your mouse over the x- and y-intercepts, and Desmos will give you the coordinates.

Multiple Choice

Give the x-intercept
3x + 8y = 24

• (8, 0)
• (0, 8)
• (3, 0)
• (0, 3)

Multiple Choice

Which ordered pair could represent a y-intercept on a graph?

• (6, 0)
• (0, 4)
• (-1, 3)
• (2, 0)

Multiple Choice

Give the y-interecept
3x + y = 5

• (-3, 0)
• (0,5)
• (5, 0)
• (0, -3)

Multiple Choice

Identify the x-intercept of the following linear equation written in standard form.

-8x - 4y = 8

• (-1, 0)

• (0, -1)

• (-2, 0)

• (0, -2)

Multiple Choice

Identify the y-intercept of the following linear equation written in standard form.

9x + 3y = -18

• (0, -6)

• (-6, 0)

• (-2, 0)

• (0, -2)

Multiple Choice

What is the x and y intercept for the following equation ?
4x - 10y = 20

• x - int = 4    
  y-int = -10
• x-int = 5
  y-int = 2
• x - int = 5
  y int = -2
• x -int = 4
  y -int = -10

Multiple Choice

True or false:
The x-intercept of a function ALWAYS occurs where y is equal to zero.

• True
• False

Multiple Choice

True or false:
The y-intercept of a function ALWAYS occurs where y is equal to zero.

• True
• False

Multiple Choice

What is the x-intercept?

• 12
• -3
• 8
• 0

Multiple Choice

What is the y-intercept?

• 12

• -3

• 8

• 0

Multiple Choice

Given the list of ordered pairs, what is the x-intercept?
(8,10),  (3, -4),  (0, 8), (4, -3), (9, 0)

• (8,10)
• 8, 3, 0, 4, 9
• (0,8)
• (9,0)

Multiple Choice

Given the list of ordered pairs, what is the y-intercept?

(8,10), (3, -4), (0, 8), (4, -3), (9, 0)

• (8,10)

• 10, -4, 8, -3, 0

• (0,8)

• (9,0)