Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Scribd
Upload
153 views

Solving Systems of Nonlinear Equations Nonlinear Systems: This Example Can Be Solved by Substitution or Elimination

This document discusses how to solve systems of nonlinear equations. Nonlinear systems contain exponents, radicals, or other nonlinear terms. They can have multiple solutions since curves can intersect at more than one point. To solve nonlinear systems, we can graph, substitute, or eliminate terms. Examples show solving systems involving parabolas, circles, ellipses, and combining various nonlinear equations using substitution or elimination to find all real solutions.

Uploaded by

wafiullah sayed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
153 views

Solving Systems of Nonlinear Equations Nonlinear Systems: This Example Can Be Solved by Substitution or Elimination

This document discusses how to solve systems of nonlinear equations. Nonlinear systems contain exponents, radicals, or other nonlinear terms. They can have multiple solutions since curves can intersect at more than one point. To solve nonlinear systems, we can graph, substitute, or eliminate terms. Examples show solving systems involving parabolas, circles, ellipses, and combining various nonlinear equations using substitution or elimination to find all real solutions.

Uploaded by

wafiullah sayed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Solving Systems of Nonlinear Equations

Nonlinear Systems
How do you know if you are solving a system of linear equations or a system of nonlinear equations? The
answer to this question is pretty straight forward. If the system contains any exponents, negative exponents,
or radicals, then it is a nonlinear system. A nonlinear system of equation is when we are given an equation
that is not linear. A nonlinear system may consist of a parabola and a circle or an ellipse and a line. The goal
when solving any nonlinear system is to find the point or points of intersection of the two shapes.
Solving Nonlinear Systems
When solving a system of linear equations, we were looking for the point of intersection of two lines and
two lines can only intersect in at most one point (unless you have the same line twice, which has infinite
points of intersection). When solving a system of nonlinear equations, we are still looking to find the point
of intersection of the two equations. However, since we are dealing with curves there can be more than one
point of intersection, which means this type of problem can have multiple solutions.
To solve a system of nonlinear systems, we are limited to three options. The first option is to solve the
system by graphing. Solving by graphing is a great option if you are using a graphing calculator, but if you
are required to do the problem by hand this would not be a good option. The second option is to solve the
system by substitution. The third option is to solve the system by elimination. We will look at solving
systems by using either substitution or elimination. Now let’s look at a few examples of solving systems of
nonlinear equations.
Note: When solving nonlinear systems, it is possible to get extraneous solutions (extra answers), so it is
important to verify that solutions found are in fact correct solutions. We can verify the solutions by plugging
potential solution into the original question.

4x − y = 5
Example 1: Solve This example can be solved by substitution or elimination.
2x 2 − y = 5

Solve for one variable.


4x − y = 5 → y = 4x − 5

Substitute one equation into the other.

2x 2 − y = 5
2x 2 − (4x − 5) = 5
2x 2 − 4x + 5 = 5 Solve for x.
2x − 4x = 0
2

2x(x − 2) = 0
x = 0, 2

Solving Systems of Nonlinear Equations – Pike Page 1 of 4


Use x = 0 and x = 2 to find y.
y = 4x − 5 or y = 4x − 5
= 4(0) − 5 = 4(2) − 5
= −5 =3

The possible solutions written as ordered pairs are (0, –5) and (2, 3). By substituting each ordered pair into
the original question, we can verify both ordered pairs are correct.

x 2 + y 2 = 13
Example 2: Solve This example can be solved by substitution or elimination.
x2 − y = 7

Eliminate x2.

−1(x 2 + y 2 = 13)
Switch numbers in front of x2, we need a negative
1(x − y = 7)
2
sign.

− x 2 − y 2 = −13
+
x2 − y = 7
Add the equations and solve for y.
− y 2 − y = −6
y2 + y − 6 = 0
(y − 2)(y + 3) = 0
y = 2, −3

Use y = 2 and y = –3 to find x.

x 2 − y = 7 or x 2 − y = 7
x2 − 2 = 7 x 2 − (−3) = 7
x2 = 9 x2 = 4
x = 3 x = 2

The possible solutions written as ordered pairs are (3, 2), (–3, 2), (2, –3), and (–2, –3). By substituting each
ordered pair into the original question, we can verify all ordered pairs are correct.

x 2 − y2 = 9
Example 3: Solve This example can be solved by substitution or elimination.
y = x2

Solve for one variable.

y = x2 → x2 = y

Solving Systems of Nonlinear Equations – Pike Page 2 of 4


Substitute one equation into the other.

x 2 − y2 = 9
y − y2 = 9
Solve for y.
y2 − y + 9 = 0
1  −35
y=
2
The value of y is an imaginary number, so there is “No Solution” to the problem.

y= x
Example 4: Solve This example can only be solved by substitution.
y = 2−x elimination.
Solve for one variable.
y = 2−x → y = −x + 2

Substitute one equation into the other.

y= x
−x + 2 = x

( x)
2
(− x + 2) 2 = Solve for x.
x 2 − 4x + 4 = x
x 2 − 5x + 4 = 0
(x − 1)(x − 4) = 0
x = 1, 4

Use x = 1 and x = 4 to find y.


y = − x + 2 or y = −x + 2
y = −(1) + 2 y = −(4) + 2
y =1 y = −2

The possible solutions written as ordered pairs are (1, 1) and (4, –2). By substituting each ordered pair into
the original question, we can verify the only correct ordered pair for both equations is (1, 1).

2x 2 + y2 = 18
Example 5: Solve This example can only be solved by substitution.
xy = 4 elimination.
Solve for one variable.
4
xy = 4 → y =
x

Solving Systems of Nonlinear Equations – Pike Page 3 of 4


Substitute one equation into the other.

2x 2 + y 2 = 18
2
4
2x +   = 18
2

x
16
2x 2 + 2 = 18
x
 16 
x 2  2x 2 + 2 = 18 
 x  Solve for x.
2x 4 + 16 = 18x 2
2x 4 − 18x 2 + 16 = 0
2(x 4 − 9x 2 + 8) = 0
2(x 2 − 1)(x 2 − 8) = 0
x 2 − 1 = 0 or x 2 − 8 = 0
x 2 = 1 or x 2 = 8
x = 1 or x = 2 2

Use x = 1, –1 and x = 2 2, −2 2 to find y.

4 4 4 4
y= or y= or y= or y=
x x x x
4 4 4 4
y= y= y= y=
1 −1 2 2 −2 2
y=4 y = −4 2 −2
y= y=
2 2
2 2 −2 2
y= y=
2 2
y= 2 y=− 2

( ) (
The possible solutions written as ordered pairs are (1, 4), (–1, –4), 2 2, 2 , and −2 2, − 2 . By )
substituting each ordered pair into the original question, we can verify all ordered pairs are correct.

Solving Systems of Nonlinear Equations – Pike Page 4 of 4

You might also like