Expert: Paul Klarreich - 4/26/2009

Question
FInd the x and y intercepts, for line y = (3/2)*X – 4/3

Answer
Questioner:   tina
Country:  United States
Category:  Advanced Math
Private:  No
 
Subject:  help
Question:  FInd the x and y intercepts, for line y = (3/2)*X – 4/3
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Hi, Tina,

To find these, just remember that:

1. You write them with a hyphen:
   x-intercept
   y-intercept

2. They are short for:
   x-axis intercept
   y-axis intercept

3. Intercept means 'point of intersection'.

4. A point on the x-axis has y = 0.
  A point on the y-axis has x = 0.

So:

To find the x-intercept, put zero for y and solve the equation.

0 = (3/2)*X – 4/3

Clear fractions:

9x - 8 = 0,   x = 8/9


To find the y-intercept, put zero for x and solve the equation.

y = (3/2)*0 – 4/3

y = 4/3

Finito. (Or Finis, or fin, or done.)