Finding Intercepts for y Equations: A Guide

[JakePearson]

hey guys, stuck on a few question, but dnt tell me the answer, direct me please :)

how do i find the intercepts for;

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

cheers guys :):)

 

[berkeman]

hey guys, stuck on a few question, but dnt tell me the answer, direct me please :)

how do i find the intercepts for;

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

cheers guys :):)

You mean the y intercept or the x intercept, or both? What does it mean for a graph to intercept an axis? What is the value of x at the y intercept(s)? What is the value of y at the x intercept(s)?

 

[JakePearson]

how do i find x and y intercepts

 

[Pinu7]

I think he means intersections of the curves

Equate equation (1) and (2)
Then (1) and (3)
Then (2) and (3)

Solve each equation individually to find all the x's and then plug them into find the y's.

Tips:
Multiply by the LCD(least common denominator).
You will probably end up with some quadratic equation.

 

[JakePearson]

thanks, but how do i solve them, so ur saying 4 example;

y = 3 / 2x + 3 -> y = 3(2x + 3) is that what u mean ?

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi JakePearson!

how do i find x and y intercepts

You mean the intercepts with the x and y axes?

Those axes are y = 0 and x = 0 … soooo … you put y = 0 and solve for x, and x = 0 and solve for y.

(oh, and the answer might be ∞)

 

[n!kofeyn]

I think he means intersections of the curves

Equate equation (1) and (2)
Then (1) and (3)
Then (2) and (3)

Solve each equation individually to find all the x's and then plug them into find the y's.

Tips:
Multiply by the LCD(least common denominator).
You will probably end up with some quadratic equation.

This isn't correct.

Also, to JakePearson, please use parentheses. Otherwise, we are guessing as to what equations you posted. Do you mean

1. y = (1/x) -1
2. y = (2/x) + 1
3. y = (3/(2x)) + 3

or

1. y = 1/(x-1)
2. y = 2/(x+1)
3. y = 3/(2x+3)

To elaborate on tiny-tim's good advice: to find the y-intercepts (the points where the curve intersects the y-axis, which is x=0), you set x=0 and then solve for y. Then those y values give you the y-intercepts, but list them as ordered pairs, i.e. (0,y) for each y value you find.

To find the x-intercepts, it's a similar process: set y=0 (which is the x-axis) and then solve for x. Now all your x-intercepts are listed as (x,0).