Chapter 5: Problem 45
Find the \(x\) - and \(y\) -intercepts of the line with the given equation. Sketch the line using the intercepts. A calculator can be used to check the graph. $$y=3 x+6$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The x-intercept is (-2, 0) and the y-intercept is (0, 6).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Standard Form
The equation of the line is given as \(y = 3x + 6\). This is already in the slope-intercept form \(y = mx + b\), where \(m\) is the slope and \(b\) is the y-intercept.
02
Determine the y-intercept
The y-intercept occurs where the line crosses the y-axis. This happens when \(x = 0\). Substitute \(x = 0\) into the equation: \(y = 3(0) + 6 = 6\). Thus, the y-intercept is \((0, 6)\).
03
Calculate the x-intercept
The x-intercept occurs where the line crosses the x-axis. This happens when \(y = 0\). Set \(y = 0\) in the equation and solve for \(x\): \(0 = 3x + 6\). Subtract 6 from both sides: \(-6 = 3x\). Divide by 3: \(x = -2\). Thus, the x-intercept is \((-2, 0)\).
04
Plot the Intercepts and Sketch the Line
With the y-intercept \((0, 6)\) and the x-intercept \((-2, 0)\), plot these points on a graph. Draw a straight line through the points to represent the equation of the line. The graph confirms that the line crosses the y-axis at 6 and the x-axis at -2.
05
Verify Using a Calculator
Use a graphing calculator to plot the equation \(y = 3x + 6\) for additional verification. Ensure the plotted line intersects the y-axis at 6 and the x-axis at -2.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding the X-Intercept
The x-intercept of a line is the point where the line crosses the x-axis. At this point, the y-coordinate is always zero because the line is touching or crossing the x-axis at this "height." To find the x-intercept, you simply set the equation equal to zero for y and solve for x. For example, in the equation given, which is already in slope-intercept form, you have to substitute zero for y: \[ 0 = 3x + 6 \]To isolate x, you start by subtracting 6 from both sides:\[ -6 = 3x \]Then, you divide both sides by 3 to solve for x: \[ x = -2 \]So, the x-intercept is at the point \((-2, 0)\). This means the line crosses the x-axis where the x value is -2.
Understanding the Y-Intercept
The y-intercept is the point where the line crosses the y-axis, and at this moment, the x-coordinate is zero. This is often the starting point when you are plotting a line on a graph, as it is straightforward to identify and calculate.In a line equation in the slope-intercept form \( y = mx + b \), the y-intercept is directly given as \( b \). For our specific line, the equation is:\[ y = 3x + 6 \]Here, you can immediately see that the y-intercept \( b \) is 6, indicating that the line crosses the y-axis at the point \( (0, 6) \). This means the line touches or crosses the y-axis 6 units above where the axis meets the origin.
Exploring the Slope-Intercept Form
The slope-intercept form is a very common way to write the equation of a straight line. It is represented as \( y = mx + b \), where:- \( m \) is the slope of the line.- \( b \) is the y-intercept.The slope \( m \) describes how steep the line is. Practically, it indicates how much y increases for a one-unit increase in x. A positive slope means the line rises as it moves from left to right, while a negative slope means it falls. Inour given equation \( y = 3x + 6 \), the slope is 3. This tells us that for every unit increase along the x-axis, the line will rise 3 units. Additionally, since \( b \) (the y-intercept) is 6, we know that when x is zero, y will be 6. This layout makes it easy to graph, even without a calculator, because you only need the slope and y-intercept to begin plotting the line.
Visualizing and Sketching: Graphical Representation
Graphically representing a straight line helps in better understanding how changes in the equation affect the line’s path and position on the graph.When graphing from the slope-intercept form such as \( y = 3x + 6 \), you can start by locating the y-intercept on the graph. Plot the point \( (0, 6) \) on the y-axis. Next, use the slope to find another point. From \( (0, 6) \), apply the slope of 3, which means you go up 3 units and 1 unit right to get to the point \( (1, 9) \).Another helpful point is the x-intercept, calculated earlier as \((-2, 0)\). Plotting these points helps ensure the accuracy of the line.Connect these dots with a straight line extending beyond them.
- Start at the y-intercept: \( (0, 6) \).
- Move according to the slope: 3 units up and 1 unit right.
- Confirm with the x-intercept: \( (-2, 0) \).