What does it mean when a question says “find where the curve crosses the $x$-axis?

Question:  

What does it mean when a question says “find where the curve crosses the $x$-axis?

Answer:

It wants you to find the $x$ intercepts. So put $y=0$ and solve for $x$.

Example: Where does the curve $\large y=3x-12$ cross the $x$-axis?

Putting $\large y=0$ 
$\large 3x-12=0$
$\large \therefore 3x=12$
$\large x=4$

So the curve crosses the $x$-axis at $x=4$.
JH