Question

Which of the following statements must be true in order for the line represented by the equation y = mx + b to have a negative x-intercept? A. The value of m is negative while the value of b is positive. B. The signs of the values of m and b are the same. C. The signs of the values of m and b do not affect the sign of the x-intercept. D. The value of m is positive while the value of b is negative.

Answer 1

x - intercept is a point where line intersect
x - axis.

So, y = 0

Therefore,

$y = mx + c$

$0 = mx + c$

$x = \frac{ - c}{m}$

$as \: ( - \frac{c}{m} ) \: is \: negative \:$

So, c and m must have same signs.

Option B is correct.

Answer 2

B is the right answer