What is the difference between x-intercepts, zeros, and roots?

1 Answer
Oct 2, 2016

Zeros and roots are the same. An #x#-intercept is a point on a graph #y=f(x)# where #x# is a root of #f#.

Explanation:

Given a function #f#, a zero or root of #f# is a value #x_0# at which #f(x_0) = 0#. If we graph the equation #y = f(x)# on a cartesian plane, then the #x#-intercepts are the points at which #y = 0#, meaning they occur exactly where #f(x) = 0#, i.e. where #x# is a root of the function.