AlgebraHardCoefficients from two intercepts
Algebra practice question
The graph of ax + by = 24 in the xy-plane has an x-intercept of 6 and a y-intercept of −3, where a and b are constants. What is the value of a + b?
Answer: -4
At (6, 0), 6a = 24 so a = 4; at (0, −3), −3b = 24 so b = −8; a + b = −4.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 4
- 4 is a alone.
- If you answered 12
- 12 has b = 8, missing the negative y-intercept.
- If you answered -2
- −2 halves the answer.
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