5-2

5-2 Using
UsingIntercepts
Intercepts

Warm Up
Lesson Presentation
Lesson Quiz

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts

Warm Up
Solve each equation.
1. 5x + 0 = –10 –2

2. 33 = 0 + 3y 11

3.
1

4. 2x + 14 = –3x + 4 –2

5. –5y – 1 = 7y + 5

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts

Objectives
Find x- and y-intercepts and interpret their
meanings in real-world situations.
Use x- and y-intercepts to graph lines.

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts

Vocabulary
y-intercept
x-intercept

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts

The y-intercept is the y-

coordinate of the point
where the graph intersects
the y-axis. The x-coordinate
of this point is always 0.

The x-intercept is the x-

coordinate of the point
where the graph intersects
the x-axis. The y-coordinate
of this point is always 0.

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Example 1A: Finding Intercepts
Find the x- and y-intercepts.

The graph intersects the

y-axis at (0, 1).
The y-intercept is 1.

The graph intersects the

x-axis at (–2, 0).
The x-intercept is –2.

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Example 1B: Finding Intercepts
Find the x- and y-intercepts.
5x – 2y = 10
To find the x-intercept, To find the y-intercept,
replace y with 0 and solve replace x with 0 and solve
for x. 5x – 2y = 10 for y. 5x – 2y = 10
5x – 2(0) = 10 5(0) – 2y = 10
5x – 0 = 10 0 – 2y = 10
5x = 10 – 2y = 10

x=2 y = –5
The x-intercept is 2. The y-intercept is –5.
Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Check It Out! Example 1a
Find the x- and y-intercepts.

The graph intersects the

y-axis at (0, 3).
The y-intercept is 3.

The graph intersects the

x-axis at (–2, 0).
The x-intercept is –2.

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Check It Out! Example 1b
Find the x- and y-intercepts.
–3x + 5y = 30
To find the x-intercept, To find the y-intercept,
replace y with 0 and solve replace x with 0 and solve
for x. –3x + 5y = 30 for y. –3x + 5y = 30
–3x + 5(0) = 30 –3(0) + 5y = 30
–3x – 0 = 30 0 + 5y = 30
–3x = 30 5y = 30

x = –10 y=6
The x-intercept is –10. The y-intercept is 6.
Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Check It Out! Example 1c
Find the x- and y-intercepts.
4x + 2y = 16
To find the x-intercept, To find the y-intercept,
replace y with 0 and solve replace x with 0 and solve
for x. 4x + 2y = 16 for y. 4x + 2y = 16
4x + 2(0) = 16 4(0) + 2y = 16
4x + 0 = 16 0 + 2y = 16
4x = 16 2y = 16

x=4 y=8
The x-intercept is 4. The y-intercept is 8.
Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Example 2: Sports Application
Trish can run the 200 m dash in 25 s. The
function f(x) = 200 – 8x gives the distance
remaining to be run after x seconds. Graph
this function and find the intercepts. What
does each intercept represent?

Neither time nor distance can be negative, so choose

several nonnegative values for x. Use the function to
generate ordered pairs.

x 0 5 10 20 25
f(x) = 200 – 8x 200 160 120 40 0

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Example 2 Continued

Graph the ordered pairs. Connect

the points with a line.

y-intercept: 200. This is the

number of meters Trish has to
run at the start of the race.

x-intercept: 25. This is the time it

takes Trish to finish the race, or
when the distance remaining is 0.

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Check It Out! Example 2a
The school sells pens for $2.00 and notebooks
for $3.00. The equation 2x + 3y = 60 describes
the number of pens x and notebooks y that you
can buy for $60.
Graph the function and find its intercepts.
Neither pens nor notebooks can be negative, so choose
several nonnegative values for x. Use the function to
generate ordered pairs.

x 0 15 30

20 10 0
Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Check It Out! Example 2a Continued
The school sells pens for $2.00 and notebooks
for $3.00. The equation 2x + 3y = 60 describes
the number of pens x and notebooks y that you
can buy for $60.
Graph the function and find its intercepts.

x-intercept: 30; y-intercept: 20

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Check It Out! Example 2b
The school sells pens for $2.00 and notebooks
for $3.00. The equation 2x + 3y = 60 describes
the number of pens x and notebooks y that you
can buy for $60.
What does each intercept represent?
x-intercept: 30. This is the
number of pens that can be
purchased if no notebooks are
purchased.
y-intercept: 20. This is the
number of notebooks that can
be purchased if no pens are
purchased.
Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts

Remember, to graph a linear function, you need

to plot only two ordered pairs. It is often
simplest to find the ordered pairs that contain
the intercepts.

Helpful Hint
You can use a third point to check your line. Either
choose a point from your graph and check it in the
equation, or use the equation to generate a point
and check that it is on your graph.

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Example 3A: Graphing Linear Equations by Using
Intercepts
Use intercepts to graph the line described by
the equation.
3x – 7y = 21
Step 1 Find the intercepts.
x-intercept: y-intercept:
3x – 7y = 21 3x – 7y = 21
3x – 7(0) = 21 3(0) – 7y = 21
3x = 21 –7y = 21

x=7 y = –3
Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Example 3A Continued
Use intercepts to graph the line described by
the equation.
3x – 7y = 21
Step 2 Graph the line.

Plot (7, 0) and (0, –3).

x
Connect with a straight line.

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Example 3B: Graphing Linear Equations by Using
Intercepts
Use intercepts to graph the line described by
the equation.
y = –x + 4
Step 1 Write the equation in standard form.
y = –x + 4
+x +x Add x to both sides.
x+y=4

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Example 3B Continued
Use intercepts to graph the line described by
the equation.
x+y=4
Step 2 Find the intercepts.
x-intercept: y-intercept:
x+y=4 x+y=4
x+0=4 0+y=4
y=4
x=4

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Example 3B Continued
Use intercepts to graph the line described by
the equation.
x+y=4
Step 3 Graph the line.

Plot (4, 0) and (0, 4).

Connect with a straight line.

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Check It Out! Example 3a
Use intercepts to graph the line described by
the equation.
–3x + 4y = –12
Step 1 Find the intercepts.
x-intercept: y-intercept:

–3x + 4y = –12 –3x + 4y = –12

–3x + 4(0) = –12 –3(0) + 4y = –12
–3x = –12 4y = –12

x=4 y = –3
Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Check It Out! Example 3a Continued
Use intercepts to graph the line described by
the equation.
–3x + 4y = –12
Step 2 Graph the line.

Plot (4, 0) and (0, –3).

Connect with a straight line.

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Check It Out! Example 3b
Use intercepts to graph the line described by
the equation.

Step 1 Write the equation in standard form.

Multiply both sides 3, to
clear the fraction.
3y = x – 6
–x + 3y = –6 Write the equation in
standard form.

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Check It Out! Example 3b Continued
Use intercepts to graph the line described by
the equation.
–x + 3y = –6
Step 2 Find the intercepts.
x-intercept: y-intercept:

–x + 3y = –6 –x + 3y = –6
–(0) + 3y = –6
–x + 3(0) = –6
3y = –6
–x = –6
x=6
y = –2
Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Check It Out! Example 3b Continued
Use intercepts to graph the line described by
the equation.
–x + 3y = –6
Step 3 Graph the line.

Plot (6, 0) and (0, –2).

Connect with a straight

line.

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Lesson Quiz: Part I
1. An amateur filmmaker has $6000 to make a film
that costs $75/h to produce. The function f(x) =
6000 – 75x gives the amount of money left to
make the film after x hours of production. Graph
this function and find the intercepts. What does
each intercept represent?
x-int.: 80; number of hours it takes
to spend all the money

y-int.: 6000; the initial amount of

money available.

Holt Algebra 1
 5-2 Using Intercepts
Lesson Quiz: Part II
2. Use intercepts to graph the line described by

Holt Algebra 1