Final answer:
The y-intercept is the point where the line crosses the y-axis. In this equation, when p = 0, the y-intercept is the value of 'a'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The y-intercept, denoted as 'a', represents the point where the line crosses the y-axis. In the given equation, since p = 0, the x-coordinate is 0.
Therefore, the line will pass through the y-axis at the point (0, a). This means that the y-intercept is the value of 'a', which is the y-coordinate of the point (0, a) on the line.