Module 42: Graph with Intercepts

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Identify the x– and y– intercepts on a graph
  • Find the x– and y– intercepts from an equation of a line
  • Graph a line using the intercepts

Identify the x– and y– Intercepts on a Graph

Every linear equation can be represented by a unique line that shows all the solutions of the equation. We have seen that when graphing a line by plotting points, you can use any three solutions to graph. This means that two people graphing the line might use different sets of three points.

At first glance, their two lines might not appear to be the same, since they would have different points labeled. But if all the work was done correctly, the lines should be exactly the same. One way to recognize that they are indeed the same line is to look at where the line crosses the x– axis and the y– axis. These points are called the intercepts of the line.

Intercepts of a line

The points where a line crosses the x– axis and the y– axis are called the intercepts of a line.

Let’s look at the graphs of the lines in (Figure 1).

Examples of graphs crossing the x-negative axis.

Four figures, each showing a different straight line on the x y- coordinate plane. The x- axis of the planes runs from negative 7 to 7. The y- axis of the planes runs from negative 7 to 7. Figure a shows a straight line crossing the x- axis at the point (3, 0) and crossing the y- axis at the point (0, 6). The graph is labeled with the equation 2x plus y equals 6. Figure b shows a straight line crossing the x- axis at the point (4, 0) and crossing the y- axis at the point (0, negative 3). The graph is labeled with the equation 3x minus 4y equals 12. Figure c shows a straight line crossing the x- axis at the point (5, 0) and crossing the y- axis at the point (0, negative 5). The graph is labeled with the equation x minus y equals 5. Figure d shows a straight line crossing the x- axis and y- axis at the point (0, 0). The graph is labeled with the equation y equals negative 2x.
Figure .1

First, notice where each of these lines crosses the x negative axis. See (Figure 1).

Figure The line crosses the x– axis at: Ordered pair of this point
Figure (a) 3 \left(3,0\right)
Figure (b) 4 \left(4,0\right)
Figure (c) 5 \left(5,0\right)
Figure (d) 0 \left(0,0\right)

Do you see a pattern?

For each row, the y– coordinate of the point where the line crosses the x– axis is zero. The point where the line crosses the x– axis has the form \left(a,0\right) and is called the x– intercept of a line. The x– intercept occurs when y is zero.

Now, let’s look at the points where these lines cross the y– axis. See the table below.

Figure The line crosses the y-axis at: Ordered pair for this point
Figure (a) 6 \left(0,6\right)
Figure (b) -3 \left(0,-3\right)
Figure (c) -5 \left(0,5\right)
Figure (d) 0 \left(0,0\right)

What is the pattern here?

In each row, the x– coordinate of the point where the line crosses the y– axis is zero. The point where the line crosses the y– axis has the form \left(0,b\right) and is called the y- intercept of the line. The y– intercept occurs when x is zero.

x– intercept and y– intercept of a line

The x– intercept is the point \left(a,0\right) where the line crosses the x– axis.

The y– intercept is the point \left(0,b\right) where the line crosses the y– axis.

No Alt Text

EXAMPLE 1

Find the x– and y– intercepts on each graph.

Three figures, each showing a different straight line on the x y- coordinate plane. The x- axis of the planes runs from negative 7 to 7. The y- axis of the planes runs from negative 7 to 7. Figure a shows a straight line going through the points (negative 6, 5), (negative 4, 4), (negative 2, 3), (0, 2), (2, 1), (4, 0), and (6, negative 1). Figure b shows a straight line going through the points (0, negative 6), (1, negative 3), (2, 0), (3, 3), and (4, 6). Figure c shows a straight line going through the points (negative 6, 1), (negative 5, 0), (negative 4, negative 1), (negative 3, negative 2), (negative 2, negative 3), (negative 1, negative 4), (0, negative 5), and (1, negative 6).

Solution
  1. The graph crosses the x– axis at the point \left(4,0\right). The x– intercept is \left(4,0\right).
    The graph crosses the y– axis at the point \left(0,2\right). The y– intercept is \left(0,2\right).
  2. The graph crosses the x– axis at the point \left(2,0\right). The x– intercept is \left(2,0\right)
    The graph crosses the y– axis at the point \left(0,-6\right). The y– intercept is \left(0,-6\right).
  3. The graph crosses the x– axis at the point \left(-5,0\right). The x– intercept is \left(-5,0\right).
    The graph crosses the y– axis at the point \left(0,-5\right). The y– intercept is \left(0,-5\right).

TRY IT 1.1

Find the x– and y– intercepts on the graph.

Graph of the equation y = x − 2. The x-intercept is the point (2, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, −2)

Show answer

x– intercept: \left(2,0\right); y– intercept: \left(0,-2\right)

TRY IT 1.2

Find the x– and y– intercepts on the graph.

Graph of the equation y = − 2 thirds x + 2 and the x-intercept is the point (3, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 2).

Show answer

x– intercept: \left(3,0\right), y– intercept: \left(0,2\right)

Find the x– and y– Intercepts from an Equation of a Line

Recognizing that the x– intercept occurs when y is zero and that the y– intercept occurs when x is zero, gives us a method to find the intercepts of a line from its equation. To find the x– intercept, let y=0 and solve for x. To find the y– intercept, let x=0 and solve for y.

Find the x– and y– intercepts from the equation of a line

Use the equation of the line. To find:

  • the x– intercept of the line, let y=0 and solve for x.
  • the y– intercept of the line, let x=0 and solve for y.

EXAMPLE 2

Find the intercepts of 2x+y=6.

Solution

We will let y=0 to find the x– intercept, and let x=0 to find the y– intercept. We will fill in the table, which reminds us of what we need to find.

The figure shows a table with four rows and two columns. The first row is a title row and it labels the table with the equation 2 x plus y equals 6. The second row is a header row and it labels each column. The first column header is “x” and the second is "y". The third row is labeled “x- intercept” and has the first column blank and a 0 in the second column. The fourth row is labeled “y- intercept” and has a 0 in the first column with the second column blank.

To find the x– intercept, let y=0.

.
Let y = 0. .
Simplify. .
.
The x-intercept is (3, 0)
To find the y-intercept, let x = 0.
.
Let x = 0. .
Simplify. .
.
The y-intercept is (0, 6)

The intercepts are the points \left(3,0\right) and \left(0,6\right) as shown in the following table.

2x+y=6
x y
3 0
0 6

TRY 2.1

Find the intercepts of 3x+y=12.

Show answer

x– intercept: \left(4,0\right), y– intercept: \left(0,12\right)

TRY IT 2.2

Find the intercepts of x+4y=8.

Show answer

x– intercept: \left(8,0\right), y– intercept: \left(0,2\right)

EXAMPLE 3

Find the intercepts of 4x-3y=12.

Solution
To find the x-intercept, let y = 0.
.
Let y = 0. .
Simplify. .
.
.
The x-intercept is (3, 0)
To find the y-intercept, let x = 0.
.
Let x = 0. .
Simplify. .
.
.
The y-intercept is (0, −4)

The intercepts are the points (3, 0) and (0, −4) as shown in the following table.

4x-3y=12
x y
3 0
0 -4

TRY IT 3.1

Find the intercepts of 3x-4y=12.

Show answer

x– intercept: \left(4,0\right), y– intercept: \left(0,-3\right)

TRY IT 3.2

Find the intercepts of 2x-4y=8.

Show answer

x– intercept: \left(4,0\right), y– intercept: \left(0,-2\right)

Graph a Line Using the Intercepts

To graph a linear equation by plotting points, you need to find three points whose coordinates are solutions to the equation. You can use the x– and y– intercepts as two of your three points. Find the intercepts, and then find a third point to ensure accuracy. Make sure the points line up—then draw the line. This method is often the quickest way to graph a line.

EXAMPLE 4

How to Graph a Line Using Intercepts

Graph -x+2y=6 using the intercepts.

Solution

The figure shows a table with the general procedure for graphing a line using the intercepts along with a specific example using the equation negative x plus 2y equals 6. Step 1 of the general procedure is “Find the x and y- intercepts of the line. Let y equals 0 and solve for x. Let x equals 0 and solve for y”. Step 1 for the example is a series of statements and equations: “Find the x- intercept. Let y equals 0”, negative x plus 2y equals 6, negative x plus 2(0) equals 6 (where the 0 is red), negative x equals 6, x equals negative 6, “The x- intercept is (negative 6, 0)”, “Find the y- intercept. Let x equals 0”, negative x plus 2y equals 6, negative 0 plus 2y equals 6 (where the 0 is red), 2y equals 6, y equals 3, and “The y- intercept is (0, 3)”.Step 2 of the general procedure is “Find another solution to the equation.” Step 2 for the example is a series of statements and equations: “We’ll use x equals 2”, “Let x equals 2”, negative x plus 2y equals 6, negative 2 plus 2y equals 6 (where the first 2 is red), 2y equals 8, y equals 4, and “A third point is (2, 4)”. Step 3 of the general procedure is “Plot the three points. Check that the points line up.”Step 3 for the example is a table and a graph. The table has four rows and three columns. The first row is a header row and it labels each column. The first column header is “x”, the second is "y", and the third is “(x,y)”. Under the first column are the numbers negative 6, 0 and 2. Under the second column are the numbers 0, 3, and 4. Under the third column are the ordered pairs (negative 6, 0), (0, 3), and (2, 4). The graph has three points on the x- y coordinate plane. The x- axis of the plane runs from negative 7 to 7. The y- axis of the planes runs from negative 7 to 7. Three points are marked at (negative 6, 0), (0, 3), and (2, 4).Step 4 of the general procedure is “Draw the line.” For the specific example, there is the statement “See the graph” and a graph of a straight line going through three points on the x y- coordinate plane. The x- axis of the plane runs from negative 7 to 7. The y- axis of the planes runs from negative 7 to 7. Three points are marked at (negative 6, 0), (0, 3), and (2, 4). The straight line is drawn through the points (negative 6, 0), (negative 4, 1), (negative 2, 2), (0, 3), (2, 4), (4, 5), and (6, 6).

TRY IT 4.1

Graph x-2y=4 using the intercepts.

Show answer
Graph of the equation x − 2y = 4. The x-intercept is the point (4, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, −2).

TRY IT 4.2

Graph -x+3y=6 using the intercepts.

Show answer
Graph of the equation −x + 3y = 6. The x-intercept is the point (−6, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 2).

HOW TO: Graph a linear equation using the intercepts

The steps to graph a linear equation using the intercepts are summarized below.

  1. Find the x– and y– intercepts of the line.
    • Let y=0 and solve for x
    • Let x=0 and solve for y.
  2. Find a third solution to the equation.
  3. Plot the three points and check that they line up.
  4. Draw the line.

EXAMPLE 5

Graph 4x-3y=12 using the intercepts.

Solution

Find the intercepts and a third point.

The figure shows a series of statements and equations: “Find the x- intercept. Let y equals 0”, 4x minus 3y equals 12, 4x minus 3(0) equals 12 (where the 0 is red), 4x equals 12, x equals 3, “Find the y- intercept. Let x equals 0”, 4x minus 3y equals 12, 4(0) minus 3y equals 12 (where the 0 is red), negative 3y equals 12, y equals negative 4, “third point, let y equals 4”, 4x minus 3y equals 12, 4x minus 3(4) equals 12 (where the second 4 is red), 4x minus 12 equals 12, 4x equals 24, and x equals 6.

We list the points in following table and show the graph below.

4x-3y=12
x y \left(x,y\right)
3 0 \left(3,0\right)
0 -4 \left(0,-4\right)
6 4 \left(6,4\right)

The points listed on the previous table are plotted. The equation graphed is 4x − 3y = 12.

TRY IT 5.1

Graph 5x-2y=10 using the intercepts.

Show answer
Graph of the equation 5x − 2y = 10.

TRY IT 5.2

Graph 3x-4y=12 using the intercepts.

Show answer
Graph of the equation 3x − 4y = 12.

EXAMPLE 6

Graph y=5x using the intercepts.

Solution

The figure shows two sets of statements and equations to find the intercepts from an equation. The first set of statements and equations is “x- intercept”, “let y equals 0”, y equals 5x, 0 equals 5x (where the 0 is red), 0 equals x, (0, 0). The second set of statements and equations is “y- intercept”, “let x equals 0”, y equals 5x, y equals 5(0) (where the 0 is red), y equals 0, (0, 0).

This line has only one intercept. It is the point \left(0,0\right).

To ensure accuracy we need to plot three points. Since the x– and y– intercepts are the same point, we need two more points to graph the line.

The figure shows two sets of statements and equations to find two points from an equation. The first set of statements and equations is “Let x equals 1”, y equals 5x, y equals 5(1) (where the 1 is red), y equals 5. The second set of statements and equations is “Let x equals negative 1”, y equals 5x, y equals 5(negative 1) (where the negative 1 is red), y equals negative 5.

See following table..

y=5x
x y \left(x,y\right)
0 0 \left(0,0\right)
1 5 \left(1,5\right)
-1 -5 \left(-1,-5\right)

Plot the three points, check that they line up, and draw the line.

The points from the previous table are plotted and labeled. The equation graphed is y = 5x.

 

TRY IT 6.1

Graph y=4x using the intercepts.

Show answer
Graph of the equation y = 4x.

TRY IT 6.2

Graph y=-x the intercepts.

Show answer
Graph of the equation y = −x.

 

Key Concepts

  • Find the x– and y– Intercepts from the Equation of a Line
    • Use the equation of the line to find the x– intercept of the line, let y=0 and solve for x.
    • Use the equation of the line to find the y– intercept of the line, let x=0 and solve for y.
  • Graph a Linear Equation using the Intercepts
    1. Find the x– and y– intercepts of the line.
      Let y=0 and solve for x.
      Let x=0 and solve for y.
    2. Find a third solution to the equation.
    3. Plot the three points and then check that they line up.
    4. Draw the line.
  • Strategy for Choosing the Most Convenient Method to Graph a Line:
    • Consider the form of the equation.
    • If it only has one variable, it is a vertical or horizontal line.
      x=a is a vertical line passing through the x– axis at a
      y=b is a horizontal line passing through the y– axis at b.
    • If y is isolated on one side of the equation, graph by plotting points.
    • Choose any three values for x and then solve for the corresponding y– values.
    • If the equation is of the form ax+by=c, find the intercepts. Find the x– and y– intercepts and then a third point.

Glossary

intercepts of a line
The points where a line crosses the x– axis and the y– axis are called the intercepts of the line.
x– intercept
The point \left(a,0\right) where the line crosses the x– axis; the x– intercept occurs when y is zero.
y-intercept
The point \left(0,b\right) where the line crosses the y– axis; the y– intercept occurs when x is zero.

Practice exercises

Exercises

Identify the x– and y– Intercepts on a Graph

In the following exercises, find the x– and y– intercepts on each graph.

1.
Graph of the equation y = −x +3. The x-intercept is the point (3, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 3).
2.
The graph of the equation y = −x + 2. The x-intercept is the point (2, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 2).
3.
Graph of the equation y = x − 5. The x-intercept is the point (5, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, −5).

4.

Graph of the equation y = x − 1. The x-intercept is the point (1, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, −1)
5.
Graph of the equation y = −x − 2. The x-intercept is the point (−2, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (−2, 0).

6.

Graph of the equation y = −x − 3. The x-intercept is the point (−3, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, −3).
7.
Graph of the equation y = x + 1. The x-intercept is the point (−1, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 1).

8.

Graph of the equation y = x + 5. The x-intercept is point (−5, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 5).
9.
Graph of the equation y = − 1 half x + 3. The x-intercept is the point (6, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 3).

10.

Graph of the equation y = − 1 half x + 2. The x-intercept is the point (4, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 2).
11.
Graph of the equation y = x. Both the x-intercept and y-intercept is the point (0, 0).

12.

Graph of the equation y = x. Both the x-intercept and y-intercept is the point (0, 0).

Exercises

Find the x– and y– Intercepts from an Equation of a Line

In the following exercises, find the intercepts for each equation.

13. x+y=4 14. x+y=3
15. x+y=-2 17. x-y=5
18. x-y=1 19. x-y=-3
20. x-y=-4 21. x+2y=8
22. x+2y=10 23. 3x+y=6
24. 3x+y=9 25. x-3y=12
25. x-3y=12 27. 4x-y=8
28. 5x-y=5 28. 5x-y=5
30. 2x+3y=6 31. 3x-2y=12
32. 3x-5y=30 33. y=\frac{1}{3}x+1
34. y=\frac{1}{4}x-1 35. y=\frac{1}{5}x+2
36. y=\frac{1}{3}x+4 37. y=3x
38. y=-2x 39. y=-4x
40. y=5x

Exercises

Graph a Line Using the Intercepts

In the following exercises, graph using the intercepts.

41. -x+5y=10 42. -x+4y=8
43. x+2y=4 44. x+2y=6
45. x+y=2 46. x+y=5
47. x+y=-3 48. x+y=-1
49. x-y=1 49. x-y=1
51. x-y=-4 52. x-y=-3
53. 4x+y=4 54. 3x+y=3
55. 2x+4y=12 56. 3x+2y=12
57. 3x-2y=6 58. 5x-2y=10
59. 2x-5y=-20 60. 3x-4y=-12
61. 3x-y=-6 62. 2x-y=-8
63. y=\frac{3}{2}x 64. y=-4x
65. y=x 66. y=3x

Exercises

Everyday Math

67. Road trip. Damien is driving from Thunder Bay to Montreal, a distance of 1000 miles. The x– axis on the graph below shows the time in hours since Damien left Thunder Bay. The y– axis represents the distance he has left to drive.

Points plotted and labeled on the graph are described in the previous paragraph. A line is drawn between the points.

  1. a) Find the x– and y– intercepts.
  2. b) Explain what the x– and y– intercepts mean for Damien.

68. Road trip. Jenna filled up the gas tank of her truck and headed out on a road trip. The x– axis on the graph below shows the number of miles Jenna drove since filling up. The y– axis represents the number of gallons of gas in the truck’s gas tank.

Points plotted and labeled on the graph are described in the previous paragraph. A line is drawn between the points.

  1. a) Find the x– and y– intercepts.
  2. b) Explain what the x– and y– intercepts mean for Ozzie.

Writing Exercises

69. How do you find the x– intercept of the graph of 3x-2y=6? 70. Do you prefer to use the method of plotting points or the method using the intercepts to graph the equation 4x+y=-4? Why?
71. Do you prefer to use the method of plotting points or the method using the intercepts to graph the equation y=\frac{2}{3}x-2? Why? 72. Do you prefer to use the method of plotting points or the method using the intercepts to graph the equation y=6? Why?

Answers

1. \left(3,0\right),\left(0,3\right) 3. \left(5,0\right),\left(0,-5\right)
5. \left(-2,0\right),\left(0,-2\right) 7. \left(-1,0\right),\left(0,1\right)
9. \left(6,0\right),\left(0,3\right) 11. \left(0,0\right)
13. \left(4,0\right),\left(0,4\right) 15. \left(-2,0\right),\left(0,-2\right)
17. \left(5,0\right),\left(0,-5\right) 19. \left(-3,0\right),\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\left(0,3\right)
21. \left(8,0\right),\left(0,4\right) 23. \left(2,0\right),\left(0,6\right)
25. \left(12,0\right),\left(0,-4\right) 27. \left(2,0\right),\left(0,-8\right)
29. \left(5,0\right),\left(0,2\right) 31. \left(4,0\right),\left(0,-6\right)
33. \left(-3,0\right),\left(0,1\right) 35. \left(-10,0\right),\left(0,2\right)
37. \left(0,0\right) 39. \left(0,0\right)
41.

Graph of the equation −x + 5y = 10. The x-intercept is the point (−10, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 2).

 43.

Graph of the equation x + 2 = 4. The x-intercept is the point (4, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 2).
45.

Graph of the equation x + y = 2. The x-intercept is the point (2, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 2).

 47.

Graph of the equation x + y = −3. The x-intercept is the point (−3, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, −3).
49.

Graph of the equation x − y = 1. The x-intercept is the point (1, 0) is the y-intercept is the point (0, −1).

 51.

Graph of the equation x − y = −4. The x-intercept is the point (−4, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 4).
53.

Graph of the equation 4x + y = 4. The x-intercept is the point (1, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 4).

  

55.

Graph of the equation 2x + 4y = 12. The x-intercept is the point (6, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 3).
57.

Graph of the equation 3x − 2y = 6. The x-intercept is the point (2, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (−3, 0).

 59.

Graph of the equation 2x − 5y = −20. The x-intercept is the point (−10, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (4, 0).
61.

Graph of the equation 3x − y = −6. The x-intercept is the point (−2, 0) and the y-intercept is the point (0, 6).

 63.
65.

Graph of the equation y = x. Both the x-intercept and the y-intercept is the point (0, 0).

 67.

a)\left(0,1000\right),\left(15,0\right)
b) At \left(0,1000\right), he has been gone 0 hours and has 1000 miles left. At \left(15,0\right), he has been gone 15 hours and has 0 miles left to go.
69. Answers will vary. 71. Answers will vary.

Attributions

This chapter has been adapted from “Graph with Intercepts” in Elementary Algebra (OpenStax) by Lynn Marecek and MaryAnne Anthony-Smith, which is under a CC BY 4.0 Licence. Adapted by Izabela Mazur. See the Copyright page for more information.

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Module 42: Graph with Intercepts Copyright © 2022 by Claire Elliott is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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