# Thread: x and y intercept graphs

1. ## x and y intercept graphs

i need help on these problems, they dont make sence to me, and i have to get this finished pretty fast, can anyone help me please? appreciate it much

1. y=x/3
2. y=-3x-2

2. ## Just what are you trying to accomplish?

1. y=x/3
2. y=-3x-2

Two linear equations (i.e., their graphs are straight lines).

y = mx + b is the most common form you will see.
m is the slope or "rise over run".
b is the y-intercept or where the graph crosses the y-axis when x = 0.

[1] m = 1/3, b = 0
[2] m = -3, b = -2

The slope can be determined by use two points (x1, y1), (x2, y2):
(y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)

Want more?

Think of the Pythaorean Theorem: c^2 = a^2 + b^2 where (c) is the length of a hypotenuse (the longest side) of a right triangle, and (a) and (b) are the lengths of the other two sides.

Form this information you can also derive the distance formula (point-to-point on a graph), the midpoint formula, and the slope of a line.

It is a good mnemonic device.

The slope is also the "tangent" to the angle opposite the right angle if you use the two points as two ends of the diagonal of a right triangle, and then draw the rest of a right triangle using that diagonal.

That may sound complicated, but a picture would make it very clear. By the time I downloaded a picture, you may have already drawn a right triangle for yourself.

One of these days this information about a right triangle will ease your understanding when you get into differential calculus.

3. yeah both of the problems are straight lines i know that, but i gotta find the coordinates to make the straight line on the grid

1. y=1/3 coordinate 1: x=0 y=? coordinate 2: x=? y=0

2. y=-3x-2 coordinate 1: x=0 y=-2 coordinate 2: x=? y=0

4. Originally Posted by nightmare1593
i need help on these problems, they dont make sence to me, and i have to get this finished pretty fast, can anyone help me please? appreciate it much

1. y=x/3
2. y=-3x-2
For #1, to find the x intercept, set y=0:

$0=\frac{1}{3}x \implies \color{red}\boxed{x=0}$

to find the y intercept, set x=0:

$y=\frac{1}{3}(0) \implies \color{red}\boxed{y=0}$

Thus, the coordinates of the x intercept and y intercept are the same : $\color{red}\boxed{(0,0)}$.

The graph below verifies our answer:

For #2, to find the x intercept, set y=0:

$0=-3x-2 \implies \color{red}\boxed{x=-\frac{2}{3}}$

to find the y intercept, set x=0:

$y=-3(0)-2 \implies \color{red}\boxed{y=-2}$.

Thus, the x intercept is $\color{red}\boxed{\left(-\frac{2}{3},0\right)}$ and the y intercept is $\color{red}\boxed{(0,-2)}$

The graph below verifies our answer.