X-Intercept

X-Intercept

The x-intercept of a graph of a function f represented in a Cartesian plane is the name given to the x-coordinate of each of the points where the graph of f intersects with the
x-axis, or the point(s) of the graph for which \(f(x) = 0\).

The expression “x-intercept” can also indicate each of the points where the line of a function intersects with the x-axis. It consists of points for which the x-coordinate is zero.

The x-coordinates of these points are also called the zeros of the function f.

Example

  • A line only has one x-intercept.
  • Some curves have 0, 1, 2, 3, … x-intercepts.Abscisse_origine

    This second-degree polynomial function has two x-intercepts, which are when \( x = -8 \) or x = 2. These two values are also the zeros of the function defined by \(f(x) = 0.5 (x + 8)(x – 2)\). These are the two points where the graph of the function crosses the x-axis.

  • Theoretically, this graph has an infinite number of x-intercepts:

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