Graphing Linear Equations by the intercept method

What is an intercept? The intercepts are the points at which a graph crosses the x-axis or the y-axis. y-intercept (0, 4) (2, 0) x-intercept

Graph: 5y + 2x = 10 The intercept method works well when the constant (the number all by itself: 10 in this case) is evenly divisible by the other 2 numbers.

Graph: 5y + 2x = 10 Keep in mind that the intercepts each have one coordinate of 0, so we’ll make a short table of values x y

Place your finger over the x-term. What’s left? Graph: 5y + 2x = 10 When x = 0 it disappears! Place your finger over the x-term. What’s left? 5y = 10 y = 2 x y 2

Place your finger over the y-term. What’s left? Graph: 5y + 2x = 10 When y = 0 it disappears! Place your finger over the y-term. What’s left? + 2x = 10 x = 5 x y 5

Those are the intercepts! Our table of values x y 2 5 Those are the intercepts!

Graph: 5y + 2x = 10 (0, 2) This is the graph of 5y + 2x = 10 (5, 0)

When asked to graph the equation of a line by the intercept method: Remember: This only works well if the constant can be evenly divided by the other two numbers. Set up a table of values with x = 0 and y = 0. Place your finger over the one that equals zero and do the math in your head. Plot the 2 intercepts and connect the dots!