Question 151·Easy·Nonlinear Equations in One Variable; Systems in Two Variables
Which ordered pair satisfies the system of equations?
For systems where one equation is a simple linear equation in one variable and the other is more complicated (like a square), solve the simple equation first to get an exact value for . Then substitute that into the second equation to find , doing the operations in the correct order (inside parentheses first, then powers). Finally, match the resulting ordered pair to the answer choices, and quickly plug it back into both equations to confirm it works.
Hints
Start with the easier equation
Look at the equation . Can you solve this quickly to find the exact value of ?
Use substitution
Once you know , plug that value into to compute .
Be careful with squaring
When you square a number, the result is always nonnegative. Make sure you add inside the parentheses first, then square the result.
Desmos Guide
Graph a line to solve
In the first expression line, type y = 3x + 6. Look at where this line crosses the -axis (the -intercept). Tap that point; the -coordinate is the solution to .
Graph the parabola for the second equation
In a new expression line, type y = (x + 5)^2 to graph the parabola that represents the second equation.
Use the -value from step 1 to find the solution point
Take the -value you found from the -intercept in step 1 and type a vertical line with that value (for example, if it was , type x = a). The intersection of this vertical line with the parabola y = (x + 5)^2 gives a point whose coordinates satisfy the system. Read both coordinates from Desmos.
Step-by-step Explanation
Solve the linear equation for
Use the first equation:
Subtract 6 from both sides:
Divide both sides by 3:
So any solution to the system must have .
Substitute into the second equation to find
Now use the second equation:
Substitute :
So any solution to the system must have when .
Match the ordered pair to the choices
We found and , so the ordered pair that satisfies both equations is , which corresponds to choice C.