Solving System of Equations using Substitution or Elimination

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a system of equations using substitution and elimination methods. The equations involved are quadratic and linear, and participants explore different approaches to find solutions, including factoring and substitution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents two equations and attempts to solve them using substitution, expressing confusion over a mistake identified by a math software tool.
  • Another participant suggests factoring the first equation as a potential next step after confirming the substitution for y.
  • Factoring leads to two cases: x = y and x = 12y, prompting further substitution into the second equation.
  • Substituting these cases into the second equation allows participants to derive values for y, which then leads to corresponding values for x.
  • Participants calculate specific solutions, including y = ±1 and x = ±√78, while confirming the points derived from their calculations.
  • There is a correction regarding the order of the points derived, with one participant acknowledging a mistake in the coordinates presented.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the methods used to solve the equations and the resulting points, though there is a minor disagreement regarding the order of the points initially presented.

Contextual Notes

Some steps in the calculations were not fully detailed, and there may be assumptions about the methods used that are not explicitly stated. The discussion reflects ongoing refinement of the solutions rather than a definitive conclusion.

Hazel
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x^2-13xy+12y^2=0 (1)
x^2+xy=156 (2)

What I have so far:
x^2+xy=156
xy=156-x^2
y=(156-x^2)/x)

Plugged y=(156-x^2)/x) into (1):
x^2-13x(156-x^2)/x)+12(156-x^2)/x)^2=0

For 1st half I Multiplied x to -13x in order to get the same denominator so I can multiply it to (156-x^2)/x):
(-13x^2)/x)(156-x^2)/x)
=(-2028x^2+13x^4)/x^2
=-2028+13x^2

For 2nd half I squared (156-x^2)/x) and factored:
12(156-x^2)/x)(156-x^2)/x)
=12(24336-156x^2-156x^2+x^4)/x^2)
=12(24336-312x^2+x^4)/x^2)

Next, I multiplied x^2 to 12 in order to get the same denominator so I can multiply it to (24336-312x^2+x^4)/x^2):
(12x^2)x^2)(24336-312x^2+x^4)/X^2)

I got for 2nd half:
(292032x^2-3744x^4+12x^6)/x^4)

So all together I got:
x^2-2028+13x^2+(292032x^2-3744x^4+12x^6/x^4)=0

Well apparently I went wrong somewhere in the 2nd half because MyMathLab "Help me Solve this" feature is telling me it suppose to had been:
x^2-2028+13x^2+(292032-3744x^2+12x^4/x^2)=0 Then went on to solving the problem.

I'm stuck here. I would like to know where I went wrong. Can you please tell me?
 
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Hello and welcome to MHB! :D

I think you are off to a good start by solving the second equation for $y$:

$$y=\frac{156-x^2}{x}$$

What I suggest doing next is factoring the first equation. What do you find?
 
x^2-13xy+12y^2=0
(x-12y)(x-y)=0
x=12y x=y
 
Hazel said:
x^2-13xy+12y^2=0
(x-12y)(x-y)=0
x=12y x=y

Good! (Yes) Now you have two cases to consider:

$x=y$ and $x=12y$

Substitute each in turn into the other equation, and solve for $y$, and then you will know $x$ as well from the substitution. You should get 4 points in total. What do you find?
 
Using x^2+xy=156?
x=12y x=y
So 1st it will be:
(12y)^2+(12y)y=156?
Then:
(y)^2+(y)y=156?
 
(12y)^2+(12y)y=156
144y^2+12y^2=156
156y^2=156
y^2=1
y=\pm\sqrt{1}
y=\pm1

x^2+x(x)=156
x^2+x^2=156
2x^2=156
x^2=78
x=\pm\sqrt{78}
 
Hazel said:
(12y)^2+(12y)y=156
144y^2+12y^2=156
156y^2=156
y^2=1
y=\pm\sqrt{1}
y=\pm1

x^2+x(x)=156
x^2+x^2=156
2x^2=156
x^2=78
x=\pm\sqrt{78}

Yes, so what are your 4 points? :D
 
Right?
(1,12) (-1,-12) (\sqrt{78},\sqrt{78}) (-\sqrt{78},-\sqrt{78})
 
Actually it's:
(12,1) (-12,-1) (\sqrt{78},\sqrt{78}) (-\sqrt{78},-\sqrt{78})

My mistake
 
  • #10
Hazel said:
Actually it's:
(12,1) (-12,-1) (\sqrt{78},\sqrt{78}) (-\sqrt{78},-\sqrt{78})

My mistake

Yes, that's correct. :D
 
  • #11
Thanks! Solved!
 

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