How do you find the x and y intercepts for #R(x) = (3x) / (x^2 - 9)#?

1 Answer
Mar 15, 2017

#"both intercepts "=0#

Explanation:

To find the intercepts.

#• " substitute x = 0, in R(x), for y- intercept"#

#• " substitute y = 0, in R(x), for x-intercept"#

#x=0toR(0)=0/(0-9)=0/(-9)=0larrcolor(red)" y-intercept"#

The denominator of R(x) cannot be zero as this would make R(x) undefined. The numerator can, however, equal zero.

#y=0to3x=0tox=0larrcolor(red)" x-intercept"#

That is R(x) passes through the origin (0 ,0)
graph{(3x)/(x^2-9) [-10, 10, -5, 5]}