Question 227550
Why is it true that at x-intercept, the value of y is 0, 
and at y-intercept, the value of x is 0?


To answer your question, let's look at an example 
shown below by graphing two points since two points make a line:


{{{2x+5y=10}}}  Equation of a line in standard form.


Step 1.  Let x=0 then 5y=10 or y=2.  So one point is (0,2).


Step 2.  Let y=0 then 2x=10 or x=5.  So another point is (5,0).


Step 3.  Now, draw a graph using these two points (0,2) and (5,0).


{{{graph(400,400, -10,10,-10,10, -2x/5+2)}}}


Step 4.  Note that at point (0,2) the line intersects the y-axis and at point(5,0) the line intersects the x-axis.  


So the y-intercept is when x=0 or at point (0,2).


And the x-intercept is when y=0 or at point (5,0).


I hope the above steps were helpful.


For FREE Step-By-Step videos in Introduction to Algebra, please visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/IntroAlgebra and for Trigonometry visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/Trigonometry.


And good luck in your studies!


Respectfully,
Dr J

http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV