12-7

12-7Solving
SolvingNonlinear
NonlinearSystems
Systems

Warm Up
Lesson Presentation
Lesson Quiz

HoltMcDougal
Algebra 2Algebra 2
Holt

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Warm Up
Solve by substitution.
1.

3x + 4y = 15

x = 3; y = 1.5

x = 6y 6

Solve by elimination.
2.

3x + 4y = 57
5x 4y = 1

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

x = 7; y = 9

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Objective
Solve systems of equations in two
variables that contain at least one
second-degree equation.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Vocabulary
nonlinear system of equations

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

A nonlinear system of equations is a system in
which at least one of the equations is not linear.
You have been studying one class of nonlinear
equations, the conic sections.
The solution set of a system of equations is the set
of points that make all of the equations in the
system true, or where the graphs intersect. For
systems of nonlinear equations, you must be aware
of the number of possible solutions.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

You can use your graphing calculator to find solutions

to systems of nonlinear equations and to check
algebraic solutions.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 1: Solving a Nonlinear System by Graphing

Solve

x2 + y2 = 25
2

4x + 9y = 145

by graphing.

The graph of the first equation is a circle, and the

graph of the second equation is an ellipse, so there
may be as many as four points of intersection.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 1 Continued
Step 1 Solve each equation for y.
Solve the first equation for y.
Solve the second equation for y.
Step 2 Graph the system on your calculator, and
use the intersect feature to find the solution set.
The points of
intersection are
(4, 3), (4, 3),
(4, 3), (4, 3).
Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 1

Solve

3x + y = 4.5
y=

1
2

by graphing.

(x 3)2

The graph of the first equation is a straight line,

and the graph of the second equation is a
parabola, so there may be as many as two
points of intersection.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 1 Continued
Step 1 Solve each equation for y.
y = 3x + 4.5
y=

1
2

Solve the first equation for y.

(x 3)2

Step 2 Graph the system on your calculator, and

use the intersect feature to find the solution set.
The point of intersection is
(0, 4.5).
Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

The substitution method for solving linear

systems can also be used to solve nonlinear
systems algebraically.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 2: Solving a Nonlinear System by
Substitution
Solve

x2 + y2 = 100
y=

1
2

x 26

by substitution.

The graph of the first equation is a circle, and the

graph of the second equation is a parabola, so
there may be as many as four points of
intersection.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 2 Continued
Step 1 It is simplest to solve for x2 because both
equations have x2 terms.
Solve for x2 in the second
2
x = 2y + 52
equation.
Step 2 Use substitution.
(2y + 52) + y2 = 100

Substitute this value into the

first equation.

y2 + 2y 48 = 0

Simplify, and set equal to 0.

(y + 8) (y 6) = 0
y = 8 or y = 6
Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Factor.

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 2 Continued
Step 3 Substitute 8 and 6 into x2 = 2y + 52 to
find values of x.
x2 = 2(8) + 52 = 36
x = 6
(6, 8) and (6, 8) are solutions.
x2 = 2(6) + 52 = 64
x = 8
(8, 6) and (8, 6) are solutions.
The solution set of the system is {(6, 8) (6, 8),
(8, 6), (8, 6)}.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 2 Continued
Check Use a graphing calculator. The graph supports
that there are four points of intersection.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 2a
Solve the system of equations by using the
substitution method.
x + y = 1
x2 + y2 = 25
The graph of the first equation is a line, and the
graph of the second equation is a circle, so there
may be as many as two points of intersection.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 2a Continued
Step 1 Solve for x.
x = y 1

Solve for x in the first equation.

Step 2 Use substitution.

(y 1)2 + y2 = 25
y2 + 2y + 1 + y2 25 = 0

Substitute this value into the

second equation.
Simplify and set equal to 0.

2y2 +2y 24 = 0
2[(y2 + y 12)] = 0
2(y + 4)(y 3) = 0
y = 4 or y = 3
Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Factor.

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 2a Continued
Step 3 Substitute 4 and 3 into x + y = 1 to
find values of x.
x + (4) = 1
x=3
(3, 4) is a solution.
x + (3) = 1
x = 4
(4, 3) is a solution.
The solution set of the system is {(3, 4), (4, 3)}.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 2a Continued
Check Use a graphing calculator. The graph supports
that there are two points of intersection.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 2b
Solve the system of equations by using the
substitution method.
x2 + y2 = 25
y 5 = x2
The graph of the first equation is a circle, and the
graph of the second equation is a parabola, so there
may be as many as four points of intersection.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 2b Continued
Step 1 It is simplest to solve for x2 because both
equations have x2 terms.
2
2
Solve
for
x
in the second
x = y + 5
equation.
Step 2 Use substitution.
(y + 5) + y2 = 25
y2 y 20 = 0
(y + 4) (y 5) = 0
y = 4 or y = 5
Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Substitute this value into the

first equation.
Simplify, and set equal to 0.
Factor.

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 2b Continued
Step 3 Substitute 4 and 5 into x2 + y2 = 25 to
find values of x.
x2 + (4)2 = 25
x = 3
(3, 4) and (3, 4) are solutions.
x2 +(5)2 = 25
x=0
(0, 5) is a solution.
The solution set of the system is {(3, 4), (3, 4),
(0, 5)}.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 2b Continued
Check Use a graphing calculator. The graph supports
that there are three points of intersection.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

The elimination method can also be used to solve

systems of nonlinear equations.

Remember!
In Example 3, you can check your work on a
graphing calculator.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 3: Solving a Nonlinear System by
Elimination

Solve

4x2 + 25y2 = 41
36x2 + 25y2 = 169

by using the

elimination method.
The graph of the first equation is an ellipse, and the
graph of the second equation is an ellipse, There
may be as many as four points of intersection.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 3 Continued
Step 1 Eliminate y2.
36x2 + 25y2 = 169
4x2 25y2 = 41
32x2

= 128

x2 = 4, so x = 2

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Subtract the first equation

from the second.
Solve for x.

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 3 Continued
Step 2 Find the values for y.
2

4(4) + 25y = 41
16 + 25y2 = 41

Substitute 4 for x .
Simplify.

25y2 = 25
y = 1
The solution set of the system is {(2, 1),
(2, 1), (2, 1), (2, 1)}.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 3

Solve

25x2 + 9y2 = 225

25x2 16y2 = 400

by using the

elimination method.
The graph of the first equation is an ellipse, and the
graph of the second equation is a hyperbola, There
may be as many as four points of intersection.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 3 Continued
Step 1 Eliminate x2.
25x2 16y2 = 400
25x2 9y2

= 225

25y2 = 175
y2 = 7

Subtract the first equation

from the second.
Solve for y.

There is no real solution of the system.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 4: Problem-Solving Application
Suppose that the paths of two boats are
modeled by 36x2 + 25y2 = 900 and y =
0.25x2 6. How many possible collision
points are there?
1

Understand the Problem

There is a potential danger of a collision if the

two paths cross. The paths will cross if the
graphs of the equations intersect.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 4 Continued
1

Understand the Problem

List the important information:

36x2 + 25y2 = 900 represents the path of the
first boat.
y = 0.25x2 6 represents the path of the
second boat.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 4 Continued
2

Make a Plan

To see if the graphs intersect, solve the system

36x2 + 25y2 = 900
y = 0.25x2 6

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 4 Continued
3

Solve

The graph of the first equation is an ellipse, and the

graph of the second equation is a parabola. There
may be as many as four points of intersection.
x2 = 4y + 24
36(4y + 24) + 25y2 = 900
25y2 + 144y 36 = 0

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Solve the second equation

for x2.
Substitute this value into
the first equation.
Simplify, and set equal to 0.
Use the quadratic formula.

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 4 Continued
Substitute y = 0.24 and y = 6 into x2 = 4y + 24
to find the values for x.
x2 = 4(0.24) + 24
x 5

x2 = 4(6) + 24
x=0

There are three real solutions to the system, (0, 6),

(5, 0.24), and (5, 0.24), so there are 3 possible
collision points.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Example 4 Continued
4

Look Back

The graph supports

that there are three
points of intersection.
Because the paths
intersect, the boats
are in danger of
colliding if they arrive
at one of the three
points of intersection
at the same time.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 4

What if ? Suppose the paths of the boats can

be modeled by the system
36x2 + 25y2 = 900
y+2=

1
10

x2

Is there any danger of collision?

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 4 Continued
1

Understand the Problem

There is a potential danger of a collision if the two

paths cross. The paths will cross if the graphs of
the equations intersect.
List the important information:
36x2 + 25y2 = 900 represents the path of the
first boat.
y+2=
second boat.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1
10

x2 represents the path of the

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 4 Continued
2

Make a Plan

To see if the graphs intersect, solve the system

36x2 + 25y2 = 900
y+2=

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1
10

x2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 4 Continued
3

Solve

The graph of the first equation is an ellipse, and the

graph of the second equation is a parabola. There
may be as many as four points of intersection.
Solve the second equation
for x2.
36(10y 20) + 25y2 = 900 Substitute this value into
the first equation.
2
25y 360y 1620 = 0
x2 = 10y 20

Use the quadratic formula.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 4 Continued
Substitute y = 18 and y = 3.6 into x2 = 10y 20
to find the values for x.
x2 = 10(18) 20

x2 = 10(3.6) 20

x2 = 200 There are no

real values.

x = 4

There are two real solutions to the system, (4, 3.6) and
(4, 3.6), so there are 2 possible collision points.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Check It Out! Example 4 Continued
4

Look Back

The graph supports that

there are two points of
intersection. Because
the paths intersect, the
boats are in danger of
colliding if they arrive
at the intersections (4,
3.6) or (4, 3.6) at
the same time.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

12-7 Solving Nonlinear Systems

Lesson Quiz
1. Solve

4x2 9y2 = 108

by graphing.

(6, 2)

x2 + y2 = 40
2. Solve

2x2 + y2 = 54

by substitution. (5, 2)

x2 3y2 = 13

3. Solve

4x2 + 4y2 = 52
9x2 4y2 = 65

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

by elimination. (3, 2)