Main content
Digital SAT Math
Unit 12: Lesson 8
Linear and quadratic systems: advancedLinear and quadratic systems | Lesson
A guide to linear and quadratic systems on the digital SAT
What are linear and quadratic systems?
Linear and quadratic systems are systems of equations with one linear equation and one quadratic equation.
On the test, you'll be expected to find the solution(s) to systems like the one shown above either algebraically or graphically.
In this lesson, we'll:
- Explore the graphs of linear and quadratic systems
- Determine the number of solutions for linear and quadratic systems
- Learn how to solve linear and quadratic systems algebraically
This lesson builds upon the following skills:
- Solving systems of linear equations
- Graphs of linear systems and inequalities
- Solving quadratic equations
- Quadratic graphs
You can learn anything. Let's do this!
How are linear and quadratic systems represented graphically?
Quadratic systems: a line and a parabola
Identifying solutions to linear and quadratic systems from graphs
A linear and quadratic system can be represented by a line and a parabola in the x, y-plane. Each intersection of the line and the parabola represents a solution to the system.
For example, the system graphed below has two solutions: left parenthesis, minus, 2, comma, minus, 2, right parenthesis and left parenthesis, 3, comma, 3, right parenthesis.
A line and a parabola can intersect zero, one, or two times, which means a linear and quadratic system can have zero, one, or two solutions.
If a graph of the system is not provided, then the ability to quickly draw graphs based on equations is essential.
Example:
If the system above has exactly one solution, what is the value of c ?
Try it!
How do I solve linear and quadratic systems algebraically?
Quadratic system with no solutions
Solving linear and quadratic systems algebraically
Our goal when solving a system of equations is to reduce two equations with two variables down to a single equation with one variable. Since each equation in the system has two variables, one way to reduce the number of variables in an equation is to substitute an expression for a variable.
Consider the following example:
In a system of equations, both equations are simultaneously true. In other words, since the first equation tells us that y is equal to x, plus, 1, the y in the second equation is also equal to x, plus, 1. Therefore, we can plug in x, plus, 1 as a substitute for y in the second equation:
From here, we can solve the quadratic equation for x, which gives us the x-values of the solutions to the system. Then, we can use the x-values and either equation in the system to calculate the y-values.
To solve a linear and quadratic system:
- Isolate one of the two variables in one of the equations. In most cases, isolating y is easier.
- Substitute the expression that is equal to the isolated variable from Step 1 into the other equation. This should result in a quadratic equation with only one variable.
- Solve the resulting quadratic equation to find the x-value(s) of the solution(s).
- Substitute the x-value(s) into either equation to calculate the corresponding y-values.
Example:
What are the solutions to the system above?