Question

Difficulty: MediumSimultaneous Linear and Quadratic Equations

The line y=2x1y = 2x - 1 intersects the curve y=x24x+4y = x^2 - 4x + 4 at two distinct points, (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) and (x2,y2)(x_2, y_2). Calculate the sum of the yy-coordinates of these two points of intersection, y1+y2y_1 + y_2.

Answer: 10

Answer

The sum of the yy-coordinates of the points of intersection is 10.
Equating y=2x1y = 2x - 1 and y=x24x+4y = x^2 - 4x + 4 yields x26x+5=0x^2 - 6x + 5 = 0, whose solutions are x=1x = 1 and x=5x = 5. Substituting these values into y=2x1y = 2x - 1 gives y1=1y_1 = 1 and y2=9y_2 = 9. The sum y1+y2=1+9=10y_1 + y_2 = 1 + 9 = 10.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Equate the linear and quadratic equations to eliminate yy.
x26x+5=0x^2 - 6x + 5 = 0
Setting 2x1=x24x+42x - 1 = x^2 - 4x + 4 allows finding the xx-coordinates of the intersection points.
2
Solve the quadratic equation for xx.
x1=1x_1 = 1 and x2=5x_2 = 5
Factoring (x1)(x5)=0(x - 1)(x - 5) = 0 yields the two xx-values.
3
Determine the corresponding yy-values using y=2x1y = 2x - 1.
y1=1y_1 = 1 and y2=9y_2 = 9
Substituting x=1x = 1 yields y=1y = 1, and substituting x=5x = 5 yields y=9y = 9.
4
Calculate the sum of the yy-coordinates.
10
Adding y1+y2=1+9=10y_1 + y_2 = 1 + 9 = 10.

Key Concept

Solving simultaneous linear and quadratic equations to find coordinates of intersection
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