16Hit1600
AlgebraVery hardx-intercept of a line through two points

Algebra practice question

In the xy-plane, a line passes through (2, 3) and (4, −1). What is the x-coordinate of the point where the line crosses the x-axis?

Answer: 3.5 or 7/2

Slope: (−1 − 3)/(4 − 2) = −2. Equation: y − 3 = −2(x − 2), so y = −2x + 7. Set y = 0: x = 3.5.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 3
3 is the y-coordinate of the first point, not the x-intercept.
If you answered 7
7 is the y-intercept, not the x-intercept.
If you answered -3.5
−3.5 has the wrong sign.

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