Find the distance between the x-intercept and the y-intercept of the graph of the equation 5x - 12y = 60.

Answer 1

The x-intercept of a graph is when y is 0.
5x - 12(0) = 60
x = 12
So our point is (12, 0).

Likewise, the y-intercept is when x is 0.
5(0) - 12y = 60
y = -5
So our point is (0, -5).

The distance between two points is given by the formula:
Dist = sqrt{(x0 - x1)^2 + (y0 - y1)^2}.

For this case, this is 13.

(Note that these points also form a right triangle, so you could solve for distance that way.)

Answer 2

Sometimes it helps to use the intercept form of a line.

5x - 12y = 60
x/12 + y/-5 = 1

The intercepts are 12 and -5, you you have a 5-12-13 right triangle.