16Hit1600
AlgebraVery hardConstant giving two lines the same x-intercept

Algebra practice question

In the xy-plane, the line kx + 3y = 12, where k is a constant, has the same x-intercept as the line 2x − y = 8. What is the value of k?

Answer: 3

2x − y = 8 meets the x-axis at (4, 0). Then 4k = 12, so k = 3.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 2
2 copies the coefficient from the second line.
If you answered 4
4 is the x-intercept itself.
If you answered -3
−3 has the sign wrong.

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