Q. Find the x-intercept of the line \(3x + 20y = -12\).
Answer
Set \(y=0\): \(3x=-12\), so \(x=-4\). Final answer: \(-4\)
Detailed Explanation
- Definition: an x-intercept is a point where the graph crosses the x-axis, so the y-coordinate is 0. Set \(y = 0\).
- Substitute \(y = 0\) into the equation \(3x + 20y = -12\):
\(3x + 20(0) = -12\). - Simplify the left side: \(3x + 0 = -12\), so \(3x = -12\).
- Solve for \(x\) by dividing both sides by 3:
\(x = \dfrac{-12}{3} = -4\). - Final answer: the x-intercept is \(-4\).
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Algebra FAQs
How do you find an x-intercept from an equation like \(3x+20y=-12\)?.
Set \(y=0\) and solve for \(x\). For \(3x+20(0)=-12\) you get \(3x=-12\), so \(x=-4\).
What is the x-intercept for \(3x+20y=-12\)?
The x-intercept is \(-4\)..
How do you find the y-intercept of \(3x+20y=-12\)?.
Set \(x=0\) and solve: \(20y=-12\), so \(y=-12/20=-3/5\). The \(y\)-intercept is \(-3/5\).
What is the slope of the line \(3x+20y=-12\)?.
Solve for \(y\): \(y=-\tfrac{3}{20}x-\tfrac{3}{5}\). The slope is \(-\tfrac{3}{20}\).
How do you write the equation in slope-intercept form?
Rearrange: \(20y=-3x-12\) so \(y=-\tfrac{3}{20}x-\tfrac{3}{5}\).
Can an \(x\)-intercept be a fraction, and how should it be written?.
Can an \(x\)-intercept be a fraction, and how should it be written?.
How can I graph this line using intercepts?
Plot the x-intercept \( -4,0 \) and y-intercept \( 0,-\frac{3}{5} \), then draw the straight line through those two points.
How do I check my \(x\)-intercept is correct?
Substitute \(x=-4\) and \(y=0\) into \(3x+20y=-12\): \(3(-4)+20(0)=-12\). The equation holds, so it’s correct.
What common mistakes should I avoid?
Don’t forget to set \(y=0\) for the x-intercept, watch sign errors when solving, and simplify fractions fully.
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