Find the y-intercept of the line with the equation \( y = -\frac{1}{2}x + 5 \).
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The Deep Dive
To find the y-intercept of the line described by the equation \( y = -\frac{1}{2}x + 5 \), you simply need to determine the value of \( y \) when \( x = 0 \). Plugging in \( 0 \) for \( x \), the equation becomes \( y = -\frac{1}{2}(0) + 5 \), which simplifies to \( y = 5 \). Therefore, the y-intercept is the point \( (0, 5) \). Did you know that the y-intercept is a crucial point in graphing lines? It's the point where the line crosses the y-axis, serving as a key reference point. This makes it super helpful when sketching graphs quickly! Moreover, finding intercepts like this is often very useful in real-world applications, such as determining where a budget meets the income line in finance, or forecasting where demand meets supply in economics. It helps in understanding various linear relationships in everyday life!