x Intercept Definition

noun
  • algebra
    the points at which the graph intersects the x-axis.
All terms

Explanation

An -intercept is defined as a point where an equation crosses the -axis. For example, the line graphed below crosses the -axis at the point

The x-intercept of a line is the point where the line crosses the x-axis.

In the case of functions that cross the -axis multiple times, like a quadratic equation, there are multiple -interepts.

The x-intercept of a line is the point where the line crosses the x-axis.

The x-intercept of a graph is the point(s) at which the graph intersects the x-axis. In other words, it is the value of x when the function or equation’s output (y-value) is zero. For example, in a linear function given by , the x-intercept is the solution to the equation , which simplifies to .

If a graph has multiple x-intercepts, this indicates that the function or equation equals zero at multiple distinct x-values. Conversely, if a graph does not intersect the x-axis, the function or equation has no real roots.

Related Terms

Function

A function is a mathematical relationship between two sets, called the domain and the codomain, in which each element in the domain corresponds to exactly one element in the codomain.

Graph

A graph is a visual representation of a function or a set of data in the Cartesian coordinate system. It helps in understanding the behavior of the function or the trend in the data. The horizontal axis is usually denoted as x-axis and the vertical axis as y-axis.