Hi Connor,

The intercepts identify the places where the graph crosses the axes. The x intercept identifies where the graph crosses the x-axis and the y intercept identifies where the graph crosses the y-axis. Lets look at

9x - 5y + 10 = 0.

I sketched the graph and indicated the x intercept with a blue dot and the y intercept with a red dot.

I am going to find the y intercept first. Do do this I want the coordinates of the point where the line crosses the y-axis. If a point is on the y-axis then its x-coordinate is zero so set x = 0 in the equation and solve for y.

9×0 - 5y + 10 = 0
- 5y + 10 = 0
y = 2.

Hence the point where the line crosses the y-axis is (x, 2). The y intercept is the y-coordinate of this point so

the y intercept is 2.

Now that we have done it once we can find the x intercept much quicker. To find the x intercept set y = 0 and solve for x

9x - 5×0 + 10 = 0
x = -10/9.

and hence

the x intercept is -10/9.

Now try the two equations in your question to us and write back if you need more assistance,
Penny