How do you solve a system of equations with rational functions?

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In summary, a system of equations with rational functions involves equations with fractions containing variables, and can be solved using algebraic methods such as substitution or elimination. A common mistake is forgetting to check for extraneous solutions, and tips for solving efficiently include simplifying the equations and using a graphing calculator.
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anemone
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Find all reals $x$ and $y$ that satisfy the system $\dfrac{3x-y}{x^2+y^2}=3-x$ and $\dfrac{x+3y}{x^2+y^2}=y$.

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Congratulations to Opalg for his correct solution(Cool), which you can find below:

Let $r = x^2+y^2$ (and note that $r\ne0$). The equations become $$3x-y = r(3-x), \qquad x+3y = ry.$$ Write these as $$\begin{aligned}(3+r)x - y &= 3r\\ x + (3-r)y &= 0.\end{aligned}$$ Solve those simultaneous equations for $x$ and $y$, to get $$x = \frac{3r(r-3)}{r^2-10},\qquad y = \frac{3r}{r^2-10}.$$ But $x^2 + y^2 = r$. Therefore $$\frac{9r^2(r-3)^2}{(r^2+10)^2} + \frac{9r^2}{(r^2+10)^2} = r,$$ $$9r^2\bigl((r-3)^2 + 1\bigr) = (r^2-10)^2r,$$ $$9r(r^2 - 6r + 10) = r^4 - 20r^2 + 100,\qquad \dagger$$ $$r^4 - 9r^3 + 34 r^2 - 90r + 100 = 0$$ (in the line labelled $\dagger$ it's okay to divide through by $r$ because $r\ne0$).

A bit of experimentation shows that $r=2$ and $r=5$ are roots of this equation, which becomes $$(r-2)(r-5)(r^2-2r+10) = 0$$ (the other two roots are non-real complex numbers).

If $r=2$ then the original equations become $$3x-y = 2(3-x),\qquad x+3y = 2y,$$ with the solution $(x,y) = (1,-1)$.

If $r=5$ then they become
$$3x-y = 5(3-x),\qquad x+3y = 5y,$$ with the solution $(x,y) = (2,1)$.

Those are the only solutions.
 

FAQ: How do you solve a system of equations with rational functions?

What is a system of equations with rational functions?

A system of equations with rational functions is a set of equations where the unknown variables are represented by rational expressions (fractions) instead of whole numbers or variables with exponents. These equations can be solved by finding the values of the variables that satisfy all of the equations simultaneously.

What are the steps to solve a system of equations with rational functions?

The steps to solve a system of equations with rational functions are:

  1. Identify the variables in each equation.
  2. Multiply each equation by the least common denominator (LCD) to eliminate the fractions.
  3. Simplify the resulting equations by combining like terms.
  4. Use algebraic methods to isolate one variable in one of the equations.
  5. Substitute the value of the isolated variable into the other equations to solve for the remaining variables.
  6. Check the solutions by plugging them back into the original equations.

Can a system of equations with rational functions have more than one solution?

Yes, a system of equations with rational functions can have more than one solution. In fact, it is common for these systems to have infinite solutions. This means that there are multiple sets of values for the variables that satisfy all of the equations. However, it is also possible for a system of equations with rational functions to have no solutions.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when solving a system of equations with rational functions?

Some common mistakes to avoid when solving a system of equations with rational functions include:

  • Forgetting to multiply each equation by the LCD.
  • Incorrectly simplifying the equations after multiplying by the LCD.
  • Not isolating one variable before substituting into the other equations.
  • Forgetting to check the solutions by plugging them back into the original equations.

Are there any shortcuts or tricks for solving systems of equations with rational functions?

There are no specific shortcuts or tricks for solving systems of equations with rational functions. However, it is important to have a strong understanding of basic algebraic principles and to carefully follow the steps outlined in question 2. Additionally, it can be helpful to simplify the equations as much as possible before beginning the solving process.

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