PSAT Math : Arcs and Intercept

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Arcs And Intercept

Where does the line given by y=3(x-4)-9 intercept the -axis?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, put in slope-intercept form. 

y=3x-21

To find the -intercept, set  and solve for .

Example Question #32 : Arcs And Intercept

Find the y-intercept of .

Possible Answers:

3

12

5

7

14

Correct answer:

7

Explanation:

To find the y-intercept, set x equal to zero and solve for y.

This gives y = 3(0)2 + 2(0) +7 = 7.

Example Question #173 : Geometry

The slope of a line is m=\frac{4}{3}. The line passes through (2,7). What is the x-intercept?

Possible Answers:

(0,9\frac{2}{3})

None of the available answers

(4\frac{1}{3},0)

(0,4.3)

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation for a line is:

y=mx+b, or in this case

y=\frac{4}{3}x+b

We can solve for b by plugging in the values given

7=\frac{4}{3}\times 2+b

7=2\frac{2}{3}+b

b=7-2\frac{2}{3}=4\frac{1}{3}

Our line is now

y=\frac{4}{3}x+4\frac{1}{3}

Our x-intercept occurs when \dpi{100} y=0, so plugging in and solving for \dpi{100} x:

\dpi{100} 0=\frac{4}{3}x+4\frac{1}{3}

\dpi{100} -\frac{13}{3}=\frac{4}{3}x

\dpi{100} x=-\frac{13}{4}

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