Quadratic: Involving terms of the second degree at most.
Parabolas (y = x2 - 4x - 2) and circles (x2 + y2 = 16) are quadratics.

A linear quadratic system is a system containing one linear equation and one quadratic equation.

Linear-Quadratic System
Line - Parabola
y = x - 2
y = x2 - 4x - 2
Linear-Quadratic System
Line - Circle
2y = x +1
x2 + y2 = 1

Algebra 1 focused on linear-quadratic systems that contained straight lines and parabolas.

Algebra 2 will work with linear-quadratic systems containing straight lines and parabolas,
but the emphasis will be on linear-quadratic systems containing straight lines and circles.

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REFRESH:
Linear-Quadratic System: linear equation and parabola
(only one variable is squared)

 

 


This familiar linear-quadratic system, has only one variable being squared, and will be the graph of a straight line and a parabola. The graphs below show that when a line and a parabola are graphed on the same set of axes, three situations are possible.

The equations will intersect in two locations.  Two real solutions. The equations will intersect in one location.  One real solution. The equations will not intersect.
No real solutions.

Find the intersection points for a linear quadratic (parabola) system algebraically:

Algebraic Solution:

Solve:
y = x - 2
y = x2 - 4x - 2


Solution:
{(0,-2), (5,3)}

We will be substituting the
"y =
" from the second equation
for the
"y =" value of the first equation.

The x-coordinates of the solutions will be 0 and 5.
(0, __) and (5, __)

Find the missing y-values:
y = 0 - 2
y = -2
(0,-2)

y = 5 - 2
y = 3
(5,3)

To check, substitute the coordinates for each solution into both equations.


Graphical
Solution:

By hand:
Solve by graphing:
y = x - 2
y = x2 - 4x - 2

To check: place the solution coordinates into each equation.

Use axis of symmetry to establish the turning point for the parabola:
x = -b/2a = -(-4)/2(1) =2
x = 2    turning point at (2,-6)
Use (2,-6) as middle of the table.
x -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
y 3 -2 -5 -6 -5 -2 3

Use y = mx + b for line graph.
m = 1, and b = -2

Solution: {(0,-2), (5,3)}

In the Example above, we were lucky in that the intersection points gave us integer coordinates.
That is not always the case.
In Algebra 2, a graphical solution will rely on the graphing calculator to arrive at a solution,
since integer solutions will be seen less often.


By calculator:

Solve by graphing:
y = x - 2
y = x2 - 4x - 2

 

Solution:
{(0,-2), (5,3)}

Graph the equations.

f 1(x) = x - 2
f 2(x) = x2 - 4x - 2


Be sure your viewing window shows a clear picture of the parabola and the line.

Use the INTERSETION option twice to find the two locations where the graphs intersect.
MENU #6 #4

The intersection points appear
as (0,-2) and (5,3).

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Linear-Quadratic System: linear equation and circles
(both variables are squared)

 

 

Let's take a look at a linear-quadratic system, having two variables squared,
where one equation is a line and the other is a circle.

Like with the parabola, the graphs below show that when a line and a circle are graphed on the same set of axes, three situations are possible.

The equations will intersect in two locations.  Two real solutions. The equations will intersect in one location (a tangent).  One real solution. The equations will not intersect.
No real solutions.

Find the intersection points for a linear quadratic (parabola) system algebraically:

Algebraic Solution:
Solve:

We will be substituting the "y =" value into the second equation to solve for x.

 

Solution:
{(-4,-3), (4,3)}

The x-coordinates of the solutions will be +4 and - 4.
(4, __) and (-4, __)

Find the missing y-values by substituting the +4 and -4.
The result is the same for both +4 and -4.

We know, from the graph, that the x = -4 is in the third quadrant, so we have
(-4,-3).
And likewise, since the x = +4 is in the first quadrant, we have (4,3).


Graphical
Solution:

By hand:

Solve by graphing:


This circle has a center at the origin with a radius of 5.

Use y = mx + b for line graph.
m = ¾, and b = 0.

Solution: {(-4,-3), (4,3)}

To check: place the solution coordinates into each equation.

 


By calculator:

Solve by graphing:

 

Solution:
{(-4,-3), (4,3)}

For calculator help graphing
a circle, see
Graphing Circle Equations.

 

Graph the equations.

f 1(x) =¾ x
f 2(x) = x2 + y2 = 25


Hint: graph the line first.

Be sure your viewing window shows a clear picture of the circle and the line.

Use the INTERSETION option twice to find the two locations where the graphs intersect.
MENU #6 #4

The interest option will create a box surrounding the intersection point.
Click once to lock a corner of the box, then drag to form the box.

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For
calculator help with
graphing
a circle

click here.
complex numbers
For
calculator help
with
linear-quad systems

click here.
complex numbers
ti84c
For calculator help with graphing circles
click here.
complex
ti84c
For calculator help with linear-quad
systems
click here.


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