free physics video tutorials for all

 

Coursework Notes - Algebra

 

Graphical Solutions

 

vertical line & quadratic curve

 

horizontal line & quadratic curve

angled line & quadratic curve

 

straight line and circle

 

 

A 'straight line intersecting a straight line' is dealt within 'simultaneous equations' here

 

 

Vertical line intersecting a quadratic curve

 

 

Example     Find the point of intersection when the vertical at x=-2 meets the curve,

 

equation#1

 

graph#10

 

 

Substitute the value of x=-2 into the quadratic equation to find y.

 

equations5

 

hence the point of intersection is (-2, -3)

 

 

back to top

 

 

 

Horizontal line intersecting a quadratic curve

 

 

Example     Find the two points of intersection when the horizontal at y=4 meets the curve,

 

equation#1

 

graph#6

 

To find the two points, put one equation equal to the other, rearrange putting zero on one side and find the roots.

 

equation#2

 

The roots are complex, therefore we use the quadratic equation formula:

 

the quadratic equation formula

 

 

equation#4

 

 

The two points of intersection are (1.828, 4) and (-3.828, 4)

 

N.B. the rounding of square roots makes the answers only approximate

 

 

back to top

 

 

 

Angled straight line intersecting a quadratic curve

 

 

Example - Find the points of intersection when the straight line with equation,

 

equation#6

 

meets the curve,

equation#1

 

gaph11

 

 

As with the horizontal line intersection , the solution is to put one equation equal to the other, rearrange, put zero on one side and find the roots.

 

equation#8

 

 

The two points of intersection are(0.76, -0.93) and (-1.99, 2.99)

 

 

back to top

 

 

 

Straight line intersecting a circle

 

 

Example - Find the points of intersection when the straight line with equation,

 

equation#9

 

meets the circle with equation,

equation#10

 

graph#13

 

 

The solution is to take the y-value from the straight line equation and put it into the y-value of the circle equation. Then solve for x.

 

equation#11

 

 

The two points of intersection are(2.68, 1.34) and (-2.68, -1.34)

 

 

 

back to top

 

 

creative commons license

All downloads are covered by a Creative Commons License.
These are free to download and to share with others provided credit is shown.
Files cannot be altered in any way.
Under no circumstances is content to be used for commercial gain.

 

 

 

 

©copyright gcsemathstutor.com 2015 - All Rights Reserved