Table of contents
- 0. Review of Algebra4h 16m
- 1. Equations & Inequalities3h 18m
- 2. Graphs of Equations43m
- 3. Functions2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 44m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Systems of Equations & Matrices4h 6m
- 8. Conic Sections2h 23m
- 9. Sequences, Series, & Induction1h 19m
- 10. Combinatorics & Probability1h 45m
7. Systems of Equations & Matrices
Two Variable Systems of Linear Equations
Problem 1d
Textbook Question
In Exercises 1–18, solve each system by the substitution method. x+y=2, y=x^2−4
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1
Identify one of the equations to solve for one variable in terms of the other. In this case, solve the first equation for y: y = 2 - x.
Substitute the expression obtained for y into the second equation. Replace y in the equation y = x^2 - 4 with the expression from step 1: 2 - x = x^2 - 4.
Simplify and rearrange the equation obtained in step 2 to form a standard quadratic equation. Add x and 4 to both sides to get: x^2 + x - 6 = 0.
Factorize the quadratic equation. Look for two numbers that multiply to -6 and add up to 1. The factors of the quadratic equation x^2 + x - 6 are (x + 3)(x - 2).
Set each factor equal to zero and solve for x: x + 3 = 0 gives x = -3, and x - 2 = 0 gives x = 2. Substitute these values back into the expression for y (y = 2 - x) to find the corresponding y values.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Systems of Equations
A system of equations consists of two or more equations with the same variables. The goal is to find the values of the variables that satisfy all equations simultaneously. In this case, we have a linear equation and a quadratic equation, which can intersect at one, two, or no points, leading to different types of solutions.
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Substitution Method
The substitution method is a technique for solving systems of equations where one equation is solved for one variable, and that expression is substituted into the other equation. This method simplifies the system, allowing for easier solving, especially when one equation is already solved for a variable, as is the case here.
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Quadratic Functions
A quadratic function is a polynomial function of degree two, typically expressed in the form y = ax^2 + bx + c. The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola, which can open upwards or downwards depending on the sign of 'a'. Understanding the properties of quadratic functions is essential for analyzing their intersections with linear functions in a system of equations.
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