The graph of 3x + 2y = 6 meets the x-axis at point P and the y-axis at point Q. Use the graphical method to find the co-ordinates of points P and Q.

Step 1:

Give at least three suitable values to the variable x and find the corresponding values of y.

Let x = -2, then 3 $\times$ (-2) + 2y = 6 ⇒ y = 6

Let x = -1, then 3 $\times$ (-1) + 2y = 6 ⇒ y = 4.5

Let x = 0, then 3 $\times$ 0 + 2y = 6 ⇒ y = 3

Let x = 1, then 3 $\times$ 1 + 2y = 6 ⇒ y = 1.5

Let x = 2, then 3 $\times$ 2 + 2y = 6 ⇒ y = 0

Step 2:

Make a table (as given below) for the different pairs of the values of x and y:

Step 3:

Plot the points, from the table, on a graph paper and then draw a straight line passing through the points plotted on the graph.

The graph intersects the x-axis at P(2,0).

The graph intersects the y-axis at Q(0,3).

Hence, the coordinates of P = (2, 0) and Q = (0, 3).