Question y-18-y
If the given equations are graphed in the xy-plane, at how many points do the graphs of the equations intersect?
Exactly one
Exactly two
Infinitely many
Zero
y = 18 y = - 3 x - 18 2 + 15 If the given
Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Systems of Two Linear Equations — Graphical solution of two lines. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.
Answer explanation
Choice D is correct. A point is a solution to a system of equations if it lies on the graphs of both equations in the xy-plane. In other words, a solution to a system of equations is a point at which the graphs intersect. It’s given that the first equation is . Substituting for in the second equation yields . Subtracting from each side of this equation yields . Dividing each side of this equation by yields . Since the square of a real number is at least , this equation can't have any real solutions. Therefore, the graphs of the equations intersect at zero points.
Alternate approach: The graph of the second equation is a parabola that opens downward and has a vertex at . Therefore, the maximum value of this parabola occurs when . The graph of the first equation is a horizontal line at on the y-axis, or . Since is greater than , or the horizontal line is above the vertex of the parabola, the graphs of these equations intersect at zero points.
Choice A is incorrect. The graph of , not , and the graph of the second equation intersect at exactly one point.
Choice B is incorrect. The graph of any horizontal line such that the value of is less than , not greater than , and the graph of the second equation intersect at exactly two points.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
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