Systems of Quadratic Equations Practice Problems & Solutions

Master solving systems of quadratic equations with step-by-step practice problems. Learn algebraic and graphical methods to find intersection points of parabolas.

πŸ“šMaster Systems of Quadratic Equations with Interactive Practice
  • Solve systems of two quadratic equations using comparison method
  • Find intersection points of parabolas algebraically and graphically
  • Apply substitution method for linear-quadratic equation systems
  • Interpret solutions as coordinate points where functions meet
  • Solve word problems involving quadratic equation systems
  • Analyze quadratic inequalities and determine solution intervals

Understanding Equations and Systems of Quadratic Equations

Complete explanation with examples

Quadratic Equations System

To find the solution of the system of quadratic equations (points of intersection of the functions) we will act as follows:

  1. We will verify that the unknown YY is written the same way in both equations
  2. We will compare the equations
  3. Let's find the XX
  4. Gradually place an XX in one of the equations to solve for its YY.
  5. Let's neatly record the answers we find.
Detailed explanation

Practice Equations and Systems of Quadratic Equations

Test your knowledge with 1 quizzes

Observe the rectangle below.

\( x>0 \)

If the area of the rectangle is:

\( x^2-13 \).

Calculate x.

x-4x-4x-4x+1x+1x+1xΒ²-13

Examples with solutions for Equations and Systems of Quadratic Equations

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

Observe the rectangle below.

x>0

If the area of the rectangle is:

x2βˆ’13 x^2-13 .

Calculate x.

x-4x-4x-4x+1x+1x+1xΒ²-13

Step-by-Step Solution

First, recall the formula for calculating the area of a rectangle:

The area of a rectangle (which has two pairs of equal opposite sides and all angles are 90Β° 90\degree ) with sides of length a,b a,\hspace{4pt} b units, is given by the formula:

S=aβ‹…b \boxed{ S_{\textcolor{blue}{\boxed{\hspace{6pt}}}}=a\cdot b } (square units)

90Β°90Β°90Β°bbbaaabbbaaa

After recalling the formula for the area of a rectangle, let's proceed to solve the problem:

Begin by denoting the area of the given rectangle as: S S_{\textcolor{blue}{\boxed{\hspace{6pt}}}} and proceed to write (in mathematical notation) the given information:

S=x2βˆ’13 S_{\textcolor{blue}{\boxed{\hspace{6pt}}}}=x^2-13

Continue to calculate the area of the rectangle given in the problem:

x-4x-4x-4x+1x+1x+1xΒ²-13

Using the rectangle area formula mentioned earlier:

S=aβ‹…b↓S=(xβˆ’4)(x+1) S_{\textcolor{blue}{\boxed{\hspace{6pt}}}}=a\cdot b\\ \downarrow\\ S_{\textcolor{blue}{\boxed{\hspace{6pt}}}}=(x-4)(x+1)

Continue to simplify the expression that we obtained for the rectangle's area, using the distributive property:

(c+d)(h+g)=ch+cg+dh+dg (c+d)(h+g)=ch+cg+dh+dg

We are able to obtain the area of the rectangle by

using the distributive property as shown below:

S=(xβˆ’4)(x+1)S=x2+xβˆ’4xβˆ’4S=x2βˆ’3xβˆ’4 S_{\textcolor{blue}{\boxed{\hspace{6pt}}}}=(x-4)(x+1) \\ S_{\textcolor{blue}{\boxed{\hspace{6pt}}}}=x^2+x-4x-4\\ \boxed{ S_{\textcolor{blue}{\boxed{\hspace{6pt}}}}=x^2-3x-4}

Recall the given information:

S=x2βˆ’13 S_{\textcolor{blue}{\boxed{\hspace{6pt}}}}=x^2-13

Therefore, we can conclude that:

x2βˆ’3xβˆ’4=x2βˆ’13β†“βˆ’3x=4βˆ’13βˆ’3x=βˆ’9/(βˆ’3)x=3 x^2-3x-4=x^2-13 \\ \downarrow\\ -3x=4-13\\ -3x=-9\hspace{6pt}\text{/}(-3)\\ \boxed{x=3}

We solved the resulting equation simply by combining like terms, isolating the expression with the unknown on one side and dividing both sides by the unknown's coefficient in the final step,

Note that this result satisfies the domain of definition for x, which was given as:

-1\text{<}x\text{<}4 and therefore it is the correct result

The correct answer is answer C.

Answer:

x=3 x=3

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Consider the following relationships between the variables x and y:

x2+4=βˆ’6y x^2+4=-6y

y2+9=βˆ’4x y^2+9=-4x

Which answer is correct?

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine the correct relationship between x x and y y , let's transform each equation:

Step 1: Transform the First Equation

The first equation is x2+4=βˆ’6y x^2 + 4 = -6y . Rearranging gives us:

x2=βˆ’6yβˆ’4 x^2 = -6y - 4

Now, aim to complete the square for expressions involving x x and y y .

Step 2: Transform the Second Equation

The second equation is y2+9=βˆ’4x y^2 + 9 = -4x . Rearranging gives us:

y2=βˆ’4xβˆ’9 y^2 = -4x - 9

Step 3: Complete the Square

Let's complete the square for the terms x2 x^2 and y2 y^2 .

For x2=βˆ’6yβˆ’4 x^2 = -6y - 4 :

x2+4x+4=βˆ’6y x^2 + 4x + 4 = -6y

Thus, it becomes:

(x+2)2=βˆ’6y (x + 2)^2 = -6y

For y2=βˆ’4xβˆ’9 y^2 = -4x - 9 :

y2+6y+9=βˆ’4x y^2 + 6y + 9 = -4x

Thus, it becomes:

(y+3)2=βˆ’4x (y + 3)^2 = -4x

Step 4: Combine and Analyze

Substitute back to express a sum of squares:

Adding these completes the square:

(x+2)2+(y+3)2=0 (x + 2)^2 + (y + 3)^2 = 0

This result shows that both squares, squared terms are zero-sum, revealing the conditions under which equations balance.

Thus, the correct choice according to the transformations conducted is:

(x+2)2+(y+3)2=0 (x+2)^2 + (y+3)^2 = 0

Therefore, the solution to the problem is (x+2)2+(y+3)2=0 (x+2)^2 + (y+3)^2 = 0 .

Answer:

(x+2)2+(y+3)2=0 (x+2)^2+(y+3)^2=0

Video Solution
Exercise #3

{a2x3+2abx2y=βˆ’2a(ax+by)a(x+1)=βˆ’by \begin{cases} a^2x^3+2abx^2y=-2a(ax+by)\\ a(x+1)=-by \end{cases} bβ‰ 0,aβ‰ 0 b\neq0 ,\hspace{4pt}a\neq0

Solve the above equations by completing the square/ factoring:

(a+by)2(aβˆ’by)=? (a+by)^2(a-by)=\text{?}


Step-by-Step Solution

In this problem we are required to calculate the value of the expression:

(a+by)2(aβˆ’by)=? (a+by)^2(a-by)=\text{?}

This is without solving the system of equations,

Let's examine the given system:


{a2x3+2abx2y=βˆ’2a(ax+by)a(x+1)=βˆ’by \begin{cases} a^2x^3+2abx^2y=-2a(ax+by)\\ a(x+1)=-by \end{cases}

In this system there are two equations with two unknowns and two parameters, one of the equations is of a higher degree, and the second is of first degree,

From which we need to calculate the value of the requested expression, without solving the system,

Let's try to find hints in the question and find another "trick", for this we can first notice that the expression:

ax+by ax+by

Which appears inside the multiplication on the right side in the first equation, can also be found in the second equation, by opening parentheses and moving terms:

(a(x+1)=βˆ’by↓ax+a=βˆ’byax+by=βˆ’a ( a(x+1)=-by\\ \downarrow\\ ax+a=-by\\ \boxed{ax+by=-a}

In other words, we can substitute the value of this expression completely in the first equation, let's do this (for convenience in calculation we'll show the complete system of equations):

{a2x3+2abx2y=βˆ’2a(ax+by)a(x+1)=βˆ’byβ†’ax+by=βˆ’a↓a2x3+2abx2y=βˆ’2a(βˆ’a)a2x3+2abx2y=2a2 \begin{cases} a^2x^3+2abx^2y=-2a\textcolor{red}{(ax+by)}\\ a(x+1)=-by\rightarrow \boxed{\textcolor{red}{ax+by=-a}} \end{cases} \\ \downarrow\\ a^2x^3+2abx^2y=-2a\textcolor{red}{(-a)}\\ \boxed{a^2x^3+2abx^2y=2a^2}

We have therefore received a simpler equation, but still of a higher degree with two unknowns, let's try to reduce the degree of the expression on the left side,

Note that in this expression we can factor out a common term:

a2x3+2abx2y=2a2↓x(a2x2+2abxy)=2a2 a^2x^3+2abx^2y=2a^2\\ \downarrow\\ x(a^2x^2+2abxy)=2a^2

Now let's look at the expression in parentheses, and think again about the second equation we got in the system of equations:

{x(a2x2+2abxy)=2a2ax+by=βˆ’a \begin{cases} x(\textcolor{blue}{a^2x^2+2abxy})=2a^2\\ ax+by=-a \end{cases} \\

We can see that, by completing the square in the expression, we can use the second equation again, this is done by presenting the expression in parentheses as a binomial squared plus a correction term, remember that for this we need to identify the missing term in the expression so we can complete the square, and then add and subtract it from the expression:

x(a2x2+2abxy)=2a2↓x((ax)2+2axby)=2a2x((ax)2+2axby+(by)2βˆ’(by)2β€Ύβ€Ύ)=2a2x((ax)2+2axby+(by)2βˆ’b2y2)=2a2↓x((ax+by)2βˆ’b2y2)=2a2 x(a^2x^2+2abxy)=2a^2\\ \downarrow\\ x\big((ax)^2+2axby\big)=2a^2\\\\ x\big((ax)^2+2axby+\underline{\underline{(by)^2-(by)^2}}\big)=2a^2\\ x\big((\textcolor{red}{ax})^2+2\textcolor{red}{ax}\textcolor{green}{by}+(\textcolor{green}{by})^2-b^2y^2\big)=2a^2\\ \downarrow\\ x\big((\textcolor{red}{ax}+\textcolor{green}{by})^2-b^2y^2)=2a^2

Let's now show the system of equations we got after the last step, then we'll substitute the value of the expression from the second equation into the first equation (bottom line) and simplify:

{x(a2x2+2abxy)=2a2ax+by=βˆ’a↓{x((ax+byβ€Ύ)2βˆ’b2y2)=2a2ax+by=βˆ’a↓x((βˆ’aβ€Ύ)2βˆ’b2y2)=2a2x(a2βˆ’b2y2)=2a2 \begin{cases} x(a^2x^2+2abxy)=2a^2\\ ax+by=-a \end{cases} \\ \downarrow\\ \begin{cases} x\big((\underline{ax+by})^2-b^2y^2\big)=2a^2\\ ax+by=-a \end{cases} \\ \downarrow\\ x\big((\underline{-a})^2-b^2y^2\big)=2a^2\\ x(a^2-b^2y^2)=2a^2

Now we can examine our goal - calculating the value of the expression:

(a+by)2(aβˆ’by)=? (a+by)^2(a-by)=\text{?}

We can see that we are already very close to getting the value of this expression from the equivalent system of equations we received (we'll also note the second equation):

{x(a2βˆ’b2y2)=2a2ax+by=βˆ’a \begin{cases} x(a^2-b^2y^2)=2a^2\\ ax+by=-a \end{cases} \\

We can now use factoring using the difference of squares formula, and factor the expression in parentheses, we can also now isolate x from the second equation, let's do this in parallel:

{x(a2βˆ’b2y2)=2a2ax+by=βˆ’a↓{x(a2βˆ’(by)2)=2a2ax=βˆ’(a+by)/:a↓{x(a+by)(aβˆ’by)=2a2x=βˆ’a+bya \begin{cases} x(a^2-b^2y^2)=2a^2\\ ax+by=-a \end{cases} \\ \downarrow\\ \begin{cases} x(a^2-(by)^2)=2a^2\\ ax=-(a+by)\hspace{6pt}\text{/}:a \end{cases} \\ \downarrow\\ \begin{cases} x(a+by)(a-by)=2a^2\\ x=-\frac{a+by}{a} \end{cases} \\

Now let's substitute the isolated unknown in the first equation, identify the requested expression, and calculate its value by isolating it:

{x(a+by)(aβˆ’by)=2a2x=βˆ’a+byaβ†“βˆ’a+byaβ‹…(a+by)(aβˆ’by)=2a2βˆ’(a+by)(a+by)(aβˆ’by)a=2a2/β‹…(βˆ’a)(a+by)2(aβˆ’by)=βˆ’2a3 \begin{cases} \textcolor{blue}{x}(a+by)(a-by)=2a^2\\ \textcolor{blue}{x=-\frac{a+by}{a}} \end{cases} \\ \downarrow\\ -\frac{a+by}{a}\cdot(a+by)(a-by)=2a^2 \\ -\frac{(a+by)(a+by)(a-by)}{a}=2a^2\hspace{6pt}\text{/}\cdot (-a)\\ \boxed{(a+by)^2(a-by)=-2a^3}

Therefore the correct answer is answer D

Answer:

βˆ’2a3 -2a^3

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a system of quadratic equations?

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A system of quadratic equations consists of two or more quadratic equations with the same variables that must be solved simultaneously. The solutions are the points where the parabolas intersect on a coordinate plane.

How do you solve a system of quadratic equations algebraically?

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To solve algebraically: 1) Verify Y has the same coefficient in both equations, 2) Set the equations equal (comparison method), 3) Solve for X values, 4) Substitute X back into either original equation to find Y values, 5) Write solutions as coordinate pairs.

What does it mean when two parabolas intersect?

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When two parabolas intersect, their graphs cross at specific points called intersection points. These points represent the solutions to the system of quadratic equations, where both equations are satisfied simultaneously.

Can a system of quadratic equations have no solution?

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Yes, if the parabolas don't intersect at any point, the system has no real solutions. This happens when the parabolas are positioned so they never cross each other on the coordinate plane.

How do you solve a linear-quadratic system of equations?

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Use the substitution method: 1) Isolate one variable in the linear equation, 2) Substitute this expression into the quadratic equation, 3) Solve the resulting quadratic equation for one variable, 4) Substitute back to find the other variable, 5) Write solutions as coordinate pairs.

What is the difference between algebraic and graphical solutions?

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Algebraic solutions use mathematical operations to find exact coordinate values. Graphical solutions involve plotting both parabolas and identifying their intersection points visually, which helps understand the geometric meaning of the solutions.

How many solutions can a quadratic system have?

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A system of quadratic equations can have: β€’ No solutions (parabolas don't intersect) β€’ One solution (parabolas touch at exactly one point) β€’ Two solutions (parabolas intersect at two points) β€’ Infinitely many solutions (identical parabolas)

What are quadratic inequalities and how do you solve them?

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Quadratic inequalities determine where a quadratic function is positive or negative. Solve by: 1) Moving all terms to one side to equal zero, 2) Finding the roots, 3) Drawing a parabola diagram, 4) Identifying intervals where the function satisfies the inequality condition.

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