Question 47·Medium·Systems of Two Linear Equations in Two Variables
In the -plane, the two bold lines shown represent a system of linear equations.
Which choice gives the solution to the system?
When a system is shown as two lines, the solution is their intersection. If the intersection is not clearly at a grid point, use two labeled points on each line to write each equation (find slope, then ), and solve the resulting system algebraically.
Hints
Remember what the solution represents
The solution to a system is the point where the two lines cross.
Use the labeled points
Pick the two labeled points on each line to find that line’s slope and equation.
Set the equations equal
Once you have both equations in the form , set them equal and solve for , then substitute back to get .
Desmos Guide
Enter the two lines
From the labeled points, determine the equations and , then type both equations into Desmos.
Find the intersection
Click the point where the two lines intersect. Read the intersection’s coordinates from the label Desmos shows.
Step-by-step Explanation
Write an equation for each line from the graph
From the graph, one line passes through and . Its slope is
So its equation is (since ).
The other line passes through and . Its slope is
So its equation is (since ).
Solve the system by setting the expressions for equal
Set equal to :
Find using either equation
Substitute into :
So the solution (intersection point) is .