What is the y-coordinate of the point where a graph intersects the y-axis called?

The y-coordinate of the point where a graph intersects the y-axis is called the y-intercept. This is a fundamental concept in coordinate geometry. When analyzing a graph, the y-axis is defined as the vertical line where the x-coordinate is 0. Therefore, the y-intercept represents the value of y at this specific point of intersection. It is essential in understanding the behavior of the graph, especially for linear equations, as it indicates the starting point of the graph on that axis.

In contexts such as linear equations in the form y = mx + b, the value 'b' corresponds directly to the y-intercept, giving insight into how the line behaves in relation to the origin. Knowing the y-intercept helps in graphing equations and understanding their properties.