2.8.10

Simultaneous Equations

Test yourself

Simultaneous Quadratic Equations

You can solve a pair of simultaneous equations where at least one contains a quadratic using the substitution method. This is where you rearrange one of the equations and substitute it into the other equation.

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Example

  • Take the pair of simultaneous equations:
    • 2x2 + y = 5
    • 2x + y = 1
  • You can rearrange the second equation to get:
    • y = 1 − 2x
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Substitution

  • y = 1 − 2x can then be substituted in as an expression for y in
    2x2 + y = 5.
    • This gives 2x2 + 1 − 2x = 5
    • Which can be rearranged to 2x2 − 2x − 4 = 0
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Solving for x

  • You can then solve 2x2 − 2x − 4 = 0 to find values of x that satisfies the simultaneous equations.
    • 2x2 − 2x − 4 = 0
    • (2x + 2)(x − 2) = 0
  • Therefore x = −1 and x = 2
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Solving for y

  • You then need to find out the values of y by substituting in the values
    x = −1 and x = 2.
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Solving for y when x = −1

  • 2x + y = 1
  • 2(−1) + y = 1
  • y = 3
    • This means x = −1 and y = 3 is one solution to the simultaneous equations.
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Solving for y when x = 2

  • 2x + y = 1
  • 2(2) + y = 1
  • y = −3
    • This means x = 2 and y = −3 is the other solution to the simultaneous equations.

Jump to other topics

1Number

1.1Using Numbers

1.2Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

1.3Powers & Roots

1.4Accuracy

2Algebra

2.1Introduction to Algebra

2.2Manipulating Algebra

2.3Proofs & Functions

2.4Straight Line Graphs

2.5Common Graphs

2.6Transformations & Tangents

2.7Properties of Graphs

2.8Solving Equations

2.9Inequalities

2.10Sequences

3Ratio

4Geometry

4.1Introduction to Geometry

4.2Triangles & Quadrilaterals

4.3Transformations

4.4Circle Basics

4.5Circle Theorems

4.6Measurements & Units

4.7Calculating Area

4.8Triangle Formulae

4.93D Shapes

4.10Vectors

5Probability

6Statistics

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