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Module 8: Linear Equations and Linear Systems

Intercepts

This is also a plug and solve method. The difference between this method and the table of values method is that you are only finding two points where each variable will be 0 at some point.

Tutorial 35: How to Graph Using Intercepts

Example:

y = 2 x + 1 {"version":"1.1","math":"y=2x+1 "}

 

  1. Determine the x and y intercepts for a linear equation. This can be done by setting the other variable to 0 and solving for the variable of interest (which will give the intercept). Solving for x and y gives two points of the line.

    x-intercept

    y = 2 x + 1 {"version":"1.1","math":"y=2x+1 "}

    ( 0 ) = 2 x + 1 {"version":"1.1","math":"(0)=2x+1 "}

    − 1 = 2 x {"version":"1.1","math":"−1=2x "}

    x = − 1 2 {"version":"1.1","math":"x= -\dfrac{1}{2}"}

    x − i n t = − 1 2 , 0 {"version":"1.1","math":"x - int=-\dfrac{1}{2},0"}

    y-intercept

    y = 2 x + 1 {"version":"1.1","math":"y=2x+1 "}

    y = 2 ( 0 ) + 1 {"version":"1.1","math":"y=2(0)+1 "}

    y = 0 + 1 {"version":"1.1","math":"y=0+1 "}

    y = 1 {"version":"1.1","math":"y=1 "}

     

    y − i n t : 0 , 1 {"version":"1.1","math":"y−int:0,1 "}

  2. Graph both coordinates and connect the points by drawing a line. Extend the line on both sides.

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