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How to Graph the X-Intercept and Y-Intercept

Graphing the x-intercept and y-intercept of an equation is a two-step process. Intercepts are the points where the graph of an equation intersects the axes. Find an intercept by setting the value of one of the variables in an equation to zero and calculating the solution, which is written in the form: (x, 0), for example, for the x-intercept. After you solve the equation for both the x and y-intercept values, plot the points on a graph, and draw the line connecting them.

Things You'll Need

  • Graph paper
  • Ruler
  • Calculator (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find the x-intercept by solving a given equation, for example: 3x + 5y - 30 = 0, when y = 0. Substitute 0 for y and isolate x by adding -30 to both sides: 3x + 5(0) - 30 + 30 = 30, resulting in 3x = 30. Multiply both sides by 1/3 to get the value of x: 3x (1/3 ) = 30 (1/3), or x = 10. The x-intercept is the point (10, 0).

    • 2

      Find the y-intercept by setting the value of x equal to 0 and isolating y: 3(0) + 5y - 30 + 30 = 30, resulting in 5y = 30. Multiply (1/5) to both sides to get the value of the y-intercept: 5y(1/5) = 30 (1/5), or y = 6. The y-intercept is the point (0, 6).

    • 3

      Draw the x and y axes on a sheet of graph paper and number them through 15. Plot the x and y-intercepts: (10, 0) and (0, 6) and draw the line connecting these points, which is the graph for the equation: 3x + 5y - 30 = 0.

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