X and Y intercepts are part of the basis for solving and graphing liner equations. The X-intercept is the point at which the equations line will cross the X axis, and the Y intercept is the point at which the line crosses the Y axis. Finding both of these points will allow you to locate any point on the line. Identifying X and Y intercepts from a liner equation is a simple process that can be done by anyone with basic algebraic knowledge.
Replace Y with 0. For example, to find the X-intercept of 2x + 5y = 10, you will replace the Y with 0 making it: 2x + 5(0) = 10.
Simplify the equation. For example, the equation 2x + 5(0) = 10 would simplify to 2x = 10.
Divide each side of the equation by the multiplying factor of X. For example, in the equation 2x = 10, you would divide both sides of the equation by 2, leaving you the X-intercept of x = 5.
Replace X with 0. For example, in the equation 2x + 5y = 10 you would rewrite the equation as 2(0) + 5y = 10.
Simplify the equation. For example, 2(0) + 5y = 10 would be simplified to 5y = 10.
Divide both sides of the equation by the multiplying factor of Y. For example, the equation 5y = 10 would have both sides divided by 5, leaving the y-intercept of y = 2.
