Simultaneous equations on graphs

Simultaneous equations on graphs

You can represent the solution of simultaneous equations graphically:

 The point of intersection of the lines/curves/equations - satisfies it and is thus a solution

Using the discriminant - to find the number of solutions

 A line or a quadratic could have:

- Two solutions
- One solution
- Zero solutions

 Using the discriminant - you can determine the number of points of intersection

 Linear: y = mx + c
Quadratic: y = ax + bx + c

Where they could potentially intersect - they would have the same y values where:

y=y
mx + c = ax + bx + c

0 = ax + (b − m)x + (c − c )

Now, you have an equation in the format: a + bx + c = 0

ax + (b − m)x + (c − c ) = 0

 When b − 4ac > 0:

− There is two possible values of x
− Showing that there is two intersections/real soltuion