How do you solve a system of equations with rational functions?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter anemone
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on solving the system of equations defined by the rational functions $\dfrac{3x-y}{x^2+y^2}=3-x$ and $\dfrac{x+3y}{x^2+y^2}=y$. User Opalg successfully provided a correct solution to the problem, demonstrating the application of algebraic manipulation and rational function properties. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the behavior of rational functions in the context of systems of equations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of rational functions and their properties
  • Familiarity with algebraic manipulation techniques
  • Knowledge of systems of equations
  • Basic skills in solving for variables in two-variable equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore methods for solving systems of equations involving rational functions
  • Learn about the graphical interpretation of rational functions
  • Study algebraic techniques for simplifying complex fractions
  • Investigate the use of substitution and elimination methods in solving equations
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics students, educators, and anyone interested in advanced algebraic techniques for solving systems of equations involving rational functions.

anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
3,851
Reaction score
115
Here is this week's POTW:

-----

Find all reals $x$ and $y$ that satisfy the system $\dfrac{3x-y}{x^2+y^2}=3-x$ and $\dfrac{x+3y}{x^2+y^2}=y$.

-----

 
Physics news on Phys.org
Congratulations to Opalg for his correct solution(Cool), which you can find below:

Let $r = x^2+y^2$ (and note that $r\ne0$). The equations become $$3x-y = r(3-x), \qquad x+3y = ry.$$ Write these as $$\begin{aligned}(3+r)x - y &= 3r\\ x + (3-r)y &= 0.\end{aligned}$$ Solve those simultaneous equations for $x$ and $y$, to get $$x = \frac{3r(r-3)}{r^2-10},\qquad y = \frac{3r}{r^2-10}.$$ But $x^2 + y^2 = r$. Therefore $$\frac{9r^2(r-3)^2}{(r^2+10)^2} + \frac{9r^2}{(r^2+10)^2} = r,$$ $$9r^2\bigl((r-3)^2 + 1\bigr) = (r^2-10)^2r,$$ $$9r(r^2 - 6r + 10) = r^4 - 20r^2 + 100,\qquad \dagger$$ $$r^4 - 9r^3 + 34 r^2 - 90r + 100 = 0$$ (in the line labelled $\dagger$ it's okay to divide through by $r$ because $r\ne0$).

A bit of experimentation shows that $r=2$ and $r=5$ are roots of this equation, which becomes $$(r-2)(r-5)(r^2-2r+10) = 0$$ (the other two roots are non-real complex numbers).

If $r=2$ then the original equations become $$3x-y = 2(3-x),\qquad x+3y = 2y,$$ with the solution $(x,y) = (1,-1)$.

If $r=5$ then they become
$$3x-y = 5(3-x),\qquad x+3y = 5y,$$ with the solution $(x,y) = (2,1)$.

Those are the only solutions.
 

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K