Mathematics 334 Designed by Peter Nield Notes by Katherine Daignault

Westwood High School Grade 9 Student

Semi-linear Systems:
Definition:
A system composed of one linear equation and one parabola.

Number of Solutions:

1)

NONE: Disjoint curves

2)

ONE: Tangent lines

3)

TWO: Secant curves

o There are two methods for solving semi-linear systems: Comparison &
Substitution.

62
Mathematics 334 Designed by Peter Nield Notes by Katherine Daignault
Westwood High School Grade 9 Student

Comparison Method:

y = x2
y = x+2
x2 = x + 2
x2 − x − 2 = 0 ~ Quadratic equation: solve by factoring/quadratic formula!
(x − 2)(x + 1) = 0
x1 = 2
x 2 = −1
Plug both x values back in to find corresponding y values.
y = x+2 y = x+2
y = 2+2 y = −1 + 2
y=4 y =1

Substitution Method:

YOU MUST ISOLATE A VARIABLE IN THE LINEAR EQUATION!!

3 y = 18 x − 9 → y = 6 x − 3
x 2 + y 2 = 64
x 2 + (6 x − 3) = 64
2

37 x 2 − 36 x − 55 = 0
− b ± b 2 − 4ac
2a
36 ± (− 36)2 − (4)(37 )(− 55)
2(37 )
36 ± 9436
74
36 + 97.14 36 − 97.14
74 74
= 1.8 − 0.83
(1.8)2 + y 2 = 64 (− 0.83)2 + y 2 = 64
y 2 = 60.76 y 2 = 64.6889
y = 7.79 y = 8.043

63