Question Bank / Math / Nonlinear Equations

Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables SAT question

Math · Advanced Math · Hard · Answer it here, explanation included.

In the xy-plane, a line with equation for some constant intersects a parabola at exactly one point. If the parabola has equation , what is the value of ?

Enter a number or fraction (like 3/17 or 0.176). Press Enter to check.

ExplanationShow

The correct answer is . The given linear equation is . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Substituting  for in the equation of the parabola yields . Adding  and to both sides of this equation yields . Since it’s given that the line and the parabola intersect at exactly one point, the equation must have exactly one solution. An equation of the form , where , , and are constants, has exactly one solution when the discriminant, , is equal to . In the equation , where , , and , the discriminant is . Setting the discriminant equal to yields , or . Adding to both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Note that 81/4 and 20.25 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Drill this skill on Aceit

Adaptive practice, a daily plan, and score tracking take a free account so we can save your work.

Practice this skill

More Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables questions