Problem 34 - Algebra 1

Question

Find the \(x\) -intercept of the graph of the equation. $$ 2 x-6 y=-18 $$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The x-intercept of the graph of the equation is -9.

Step 1: Replace \( y \) with 0

Start by inserting '0' in place of \( y \) in the equation. The original equation is \( 2x - 6y = -18 \). Replacing \( y = 0 \) gives \( 2x - 6(0) = -18 \) which simplifies to \( 2x = -18 \).

Step 2: Solve for \( x \)

After simplifying the equation in step 1, we obtain \( 2x = -18 \). To solve for \( x \), divide both sides of the equation by 2. This gives \( x = -18/2 = -9 \).

Key Concepts

Linear Equations

A linear equation is a statement of equality between two expressions which forms a straight line when plotted on a graph. An example of a linear equation is given by the standard form Ax + By = C, where A, B, and C are constants and x and y are variables. One key characteristic of these equations is that every term is either a constant or the product of a constant and a single variable.

Linear equations can be used to describe relationships between two variables, often representing real-life situations like distance over time or cost per item. However, they become even more useful when we solve them—that is, when we find the values of the variables that make the equation true. The solution to a linear equation is the set of all values of variables that, when substituted for the variables in the equation, transform the equation into an equal statement.

Graphing Linear Equations

Graphing linear equations involves transferring the algebraic equation onto a coordinate plane—a visual representation that helps us understand the relationship between variables. In graphing, if we have the equation Ax + By = C, each pair (x, y) that satisfies the equation corresponds to a point on the graph.

To plot the graph of a linear equation, we generally find two fundamental points: the x-intercept and the y-intercept. The x-intercept is the point where the graph cuts the x-axis, which is found by setting y=0 and solving for x. Conversely, the y-intercept occurs where the graph intersects the y-axis, and is found by setting x=0 and solving for y. Once those points are known, a line drawn through them represents all the infinite solutions to the equation. These concepts are pivotal because they provide a clear, graphical understand of how the variables x and y interact.

Solving for x

Solving for x means determining the value of the variable x that makes an equation true. When given a linear equation, the goal is to isolate x on one side of the equation. This process usually involves several steps, such as distributing multipliers, combining like terms, and performing inverse operations (like adding the opposite of a number or dividing by a coefficient).

For example, in the equation 2x - 6y = -18, to solve for x when the y-value is zero (the x-intercept), we would first eliminate the term involving y, simplify the equation, and then isolate x. As shown in the provided solution, once y is replaced by 0, we're left with 2x = -18, and dividing both sides by 2 yields x = -9. This single value of x represents the point where the line crosses the x-axis. Knowing how to solve for x is an invaluable skill not just for finding intercepts but also for understanding and predicting patterns that emerge from mathematical models.