AT THE POINT WHERE A CURVE INTERCEPTS THE X-AXIS (I.E. THE X INTERC...

6. At the point where a curve intercepts the x-axis (i.e. the

x

intercept), the y value is equal to 0. If we plug

y = 0 in the

equation of the curve, we get 0 = (x – p)(x – q). This product would

only be zero when

x is equal to p or

q. The question is asking us if

(2, 0) is an

x-intercept, so it is really asking us if either

p or

q is

equal to 2.

(1) INSUFFICIENT: We can’t find the value of p or q from this

equation.

(2) INSUFFICIENT: We can’t find the value of p or q from this

(1) AND (2) SUFFICIENT: Together we have enough information to

see if either p or q is equal to 2. To solve the two simultaneous

equations, we can plug the p-value from the first equation, p = -