# What are the x and y intercepts y= x+2/x-7 rational

1. Apr 7, 2009

### jeahomgrajan

what are the x and y intercepts

y= x+2/x-7

rational expression

is y=-2/7
and x= -2

2. Apr 8, 2009

### sutupidmath

Re: Intercepts

you find x intercepts by letting y=0, and y intercepts by letting x=0.

3. Apr 8, 2009

### n!kofeyn

Re: Intercepts

That is the general approach to these problems, but notice that the function is not defined at x=0.

What do you think this means jeahomgrajan? How would you go about finding the x-intercept, i.e. setting y=0 as sutupidmath mentioned and then solving for x?

4. Apr 8, 2009

### sutupidmath

Re: Intercepts

i interpreted the function as:

$$y=x+\frac{2}{x-7}$$

5. Apr 8, 2009

### n!kofeyn

Re: Intercepts

I see. Gotcha :) Gotta love $\LaTeX$.

6. Apr 8, 2009

### symbolipoint

Re: Intercepts

The original equation as written means exactly:

y = x + $$\frac{2}{x}$$ - 7

7. Apr 8, 2009

### n!kofeyn

Re: Intercepts

We know that. sutupidmath misread the original equation, and that's what that post was about. Please see my original post jeahomgrajan.

8. Apr 8, 2009

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Re: Intercepts

What was originally written would be strictly interpreted as
$$y= x+ \frac{2}{x}-7$$
But, considering how many people just hate to use parentheses, it could also be interpreted as "x+ 2/(x- 7)"
$$y= x+ \frac{2}{x- 7}$$
or even as "(x+2)/(x- 7)"
$$y= \frac{x+ 2}{x- 7}$$

Unfortunately, jeahomgrajan hasn't got back to say which he/she meant, but the fact that he/she suggested y= -2/7 and x= -2 as intercepts suggests what sutupidmath assumed was meant.