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 = -