The x- and y- intercepts represent the points where a graph crosses the x-axis and y-axis, respectively. These points are important in determining the key features of a graph, such as the slope and the location of the graph on the coordinate plane.
To find the x-intercept, set y = 0 in the equation and solve for x. To find the y-intercept, set x = 0 in the equation and solve for y. The resulting values will be the coordinates of the intercept points.
Yes, the x- and y- intercepts can be any real number, including fractions or decimals. It is important to pay attention to the scale of the graph in order to accurately determine the coordinates of the intercept points.
A negative intercept simply means that the intercept point falls on the opposite side of the axis from where it is typically shown. For example, a negative x-intercept would be located to the left of the y-axis, while a negative y-intercept would be located below the x-axis.
The x- and y- intercepts can be interpreted as the starting and ending points of a problem. For example, in a distance-time graph, the x-intercept would represent the starting point, or when the object began moving, and the y-intercept would represent the ending point, or when the object stopped moving. It is important to consider the units of measurement when interpreting intercept points in a real-world context.