Section 4-9: Quadratic Systems

Ex. 1: What is the solution to the following system over the Reals?
Algebraically:
 y  x2  2x  1 x2  2 x  1  x  3
 ⟹
y  x 3 x 2  3x  4  0
Enter into the quadratic formula and solve:
3  3  4 1 4 
2

x
2 1
3  7
x
2
No solution in the real number system

Graphing Calculator:
Enter each equation into Y=; Graph and adjust the window as necessary to see where the
intersection of the two graphs occurs; Press 2nd TRACE and use the INTERSECTION
function; Select the 1st curve and the 2nd curve and press enter. The answer will be shown
at the bottom of the screen.

Ex. 2: What is the solution to the following system over the Reals?

Algebraically:
 y  x 2  3 x  9 x 2  3 x  9  3 x  4
 ⇒
 y  3 x  4 0  x2  6x  5
Enter into the quadratic formula and solve:
6  62  4 1 5 
x
2 1
x  1
x  5
Enter the x values back into one of the original equations to solve for y:
3  1  4  7
3  5   4  19
The solutions are  1, 7  and  5,19  .

Graphing Calculator: See instructions above.

Ex. 3: What is the solution to the following system of equations over the Reals?

Algebraically:
 y  x  9 x  7 x 2  9 x  7   x 2  3x  7
2

 ⇒
 y   x  3 x  7 2 x2  6 x  0
2

Solve by factoring:
2 x2  6 x  0
2 x  x  3  0
2x  0 x3 0
x0 x  3
Enter the x values back into one of the original equations and solve for the y values:
02  9  0   7  7
 3  9  3  7  11
2

The solutions are  0, 7  and  3, 11 .

Graphing Calculator: See instructions above.