Question y-x-9-

2.3 Systems Involving Nonlinear Equations - Line + parabola intersections
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y = x + 9

y = x 2 + 16 x + 63

A solution to the given system of equations is x,y. What is the greatest possible value of x ?

A.

-6

B.

7

C.

9

D.

63

y = x + 9 y = x 2 + 16 x + 63 A solution

Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Systems Involving Nonlinear Equations — Line + parabola intersections. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice A is correct. It's given that y = x + 9 and y = x 2 + 16 x + 63 ; therefore, it follows that x + 9 = x 2 + 16 x + 63 . This equation can be rewritten as x+9=x+9x+7. Subtracting x+9 from both sides of this equation yields 0=x+9x+7-x+9. This equation can be rewritten as 0=x+9x+7-1, or 0=x+9x+6. By the zero product property, x + 9 = 0 or x + 6 = 0 . Subtracting 9 from both sides of the equation x + 9 = 0 yields x = -9 . Subtracting 6 from both sides of the equation x + 6 = 0 yields x = -6 . Therefore, the given system of equations has solutions, x,y, that occur when x = -9 and x = -6 . Since -6 is greater than -9 , the greatest possible value of x is -6 .

Choice B is incorrect. This is the negative of the greatest possible value of x when y = 0 for the second equation in the given system of equations.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of y when x = 0 for the first equation in the given system of equations.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of y when x = 0 for the second equation in the given system of equations.