Coordinate Geometry

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Coordinate Geometry

by heshamelaziry » Wed Nov 04, 2009 1:22 pm
At which point do the lines y1 = 5x-3 and y2 = -4x + 6 intersect ?

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by grockit_jake » Wed Nov 04, 2009 1:34 pm
any two lines that are not parallel intersect at one place.

There are 2 strategies to go from 2 variables (x and y) to 1 variable. Once you solve for one of the variables, you can then plug into either equation and solve for the other.

y = 5x - 3
y = -4x + 6

1) Subtract equations:

y - y = (5x - 3) - (-4x + 6)
0 = 9x - 9
9 = 9x
x = 1

2) Set y's equal:

5x - 3 = -4x + 6
9x = 9
x = 1

Plug x=1 into either equation and you get y = 2.

Point (1,2) is your solution.
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by antondesh » Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:06 pm
I would use backsolving to solve this one.