How to Find the Intercept with INTERCEPT

INTERCEPT finds where a trend line crosses zero — the hidden fixed fee in a fare, bill or price list.

You will learn to

• Estimate a fixed fee with INTERCEPT
• Compare intercepts from two drivers
• Predict with intercept + slope × x

How it works

INTERCEPT(known_ys, known_xs) returns the point where the best-fit straight line crosses x = 0. In pricing data this is the fixed part: the base fare before any miles, the standing charge before any usage. Together with SLOPE it gives the full line, y = intercept + slope × x.

Treat the intercept with care when x = 0 is far outside your data — it is an extrapolation. When zero is meaningful (a zero-mile trip, zero units), it’s a powerful way to uncover a hidden fixed fee.

=INTERCEPT(C2:C10,B2:B10)