What are the steps to solving simultaneous equations using substitution?

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    Simultaneous equations
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving simultaneous equations using substitution, specifically focusing on the equations 4y² - 3x² = 1 and x - 2y = 1. Participants explore the steps involved in applying the substitution method and address issues related to solving the resulting quadratic equation.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks help with the substitution method for the given simultaneous equations.
  • Another participant suggests substituting x = 2y + 1 into the first equation to form a quadratic equation in y.
  • A participant reports using graphing tools to find intersection points, noting discrepancies in their results compared to expected values.
  • Another participant provides a detailed expansion and simplification of the quadratic equation, identifying a mistake in the application of the quadratic formula regarding the coefficients.
  • Factoring the quadratic yields two potential solutions for y, which leads to corresponding values for x.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method of substitution and the steps to derive the quadratic equation, but there is a disagreement regarding the application of the quadratic formula and the resulting intersection points.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved issues regarding the correct application of the quadratic formula, specifically the coefficients used in the calculations. Additionally, discrepancies in the intersection points found using graphing tools suggest potential misunderstandings or errors in calculations.

Who May Find This Useful

Students learning about solving simultaneous equations, particularly through substitution, and those interested in quadratic equations and their applications in graphical contexts.

blackfriars
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hi could anyone help with this one as i do not know the steps to take . as far as i know you can only use substitution
4y^2-3x^2=1
x-2y=1
 
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4y^2-3x^2=1
x-2y=1

line intersecting a hyperbola ...

$x = 2y+1 \implies 4y^2 - 3(2y+1)^2 = 1$

can you solve the resulting quadratic in $y$?
 
hi skeeter, thanks for the reply i have used desmos and geo gebra and the intersection points ere (-1,-1)and (0,-0.5)
now i was able to get the (-1,-1) but for the quadratic i was getting (-1/2,-3/4)
this is what i did

-8y^2-12y-4=0
----------------------
-4

2y^2+3y+1=0

using the formula a=2,b=3,c=-4
the intersections i should have got were (-1,-1) and (0,-0.5)
hope you can help to show where i went wrong thanks
 
Let's start where skeeter left off:

$$4y^2-3(2y+1)^2=1$$

Expand squared binomial:

$$4y^2-3\left(4y^2+4y+1\right)=1$$

Distribute the -3:

$$4y^2-12y^2-12y-3=1$$

Collect like terms:

$$-8y^2-12y-4=0$$

Divide through by -4:

$$2y^2+3y+1=0$$

This is what you have, but when you went to apply the quadratic formula, you used $c=-4$ instead of $c=1$.

Factor:

$$(2y+1)(y+1)=0$$

Hence:

$$y\in\left\{-1,-\frac{1}{2}\right\}$$

Now with $x=2y+1$, this gives us the solutions:

$$(x,y)=(-1,-1),\,\left(0,-\frac{1}{2}\right)$$
 

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