Problem Involving a System of Equations

In summary, the conversation discusses a problem involving a system of equations and the participants share their approaches and solutions. They come to the conclusion that the solutions are x = -1 and y = ±4.
  • #1
anemone
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Solve the system:

$x^3+3xy^2+49=0$

$x^2-8xy+y^2=8y-17x$

Hi all, I found this problem interesting and I think you may find it interesting too. I have solved it and am of course interested in seeing other approaches.

I will post my solution in a few days, so that everyone interested can have a chance to demonstrate how they would solve it.

Thanks.
 
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  • #2
Hey anemone!

I could find the solution with Wolfram|Alpha.
But that's cheating.
I haven't been able to come up with a nice solution.
So I'm looking forward to your solution! (Lipssealed)
 
  • #3
from first equation we get -4<x<0

by observation if x=-1 then y=4 or y=-4

put this to equation 2 , it also satisfies

so we get the answer (x,y)=(-1,4) or (-1,-4)
 
  • #4
Just so you know, I used an entirely different method to solve it. To encourage others to post their solutions, I'll wait until tomorrow to post my solution.

Thanks.
 
  • #5
My solution:

$x^3+3xy^2+49=0$---(1)

$x^2-8xy+y^2=8y-17x$---(2)

Multiply both left and right side of (2) by $3x$, we get:

$3x^3-24x^2y+(3xy^2)=24xy-51x^2$---(3)

Rearrange (1) to make $3xy^2$ the subject, we have:

$3xy^2=-49-x^3$

$\therefore 3x^3-24x^2y+(-49-x^3)=24xy-51x^2$

$ 2x^3-24x^2y-49=24xy-51x^2$

$ 2x^3-24x^2y-24xy-49+51x^2=0$

$ 2x^3-24x^2y-24xy-49+49x^2+2x^2=0$

$ (2x^3+2x^2)-24xy(x+1)+49(x^2-1)=0$

$ 2x^2(x+1)-24xy(x+1)+49(x+1)(x-1)=0$

$ (x+1)(2x^2-24xy+49(x-1))=0$

Hence, it must be $x+1=0$ or $2x^2-24xy+49(x-1)=0$

For the case with $x+1=0$, i.e. $x=-1$, we get

$-1-3y^2+49=0$

$48=3y^2$

$y^2=16$

$y=\pm4$

For the case with $2x^2-24xy+49(x-1)=0$, i.e. $24xy=2x^2+49(x-1)$, we'll do the following:

$x^2-8xy+y^2=8y-17x$---(2)

$3x^2-24xy+3y^2=24y-51x$

$3x^2-(2x^2+49(x-1))+3y^2=24y-51x$

$3x^2-(2x^2+49x-49)+3y^2-24y+51x=0$

$x^2+2x+1+3y^2-24y+48=0$

$(x+1)^2+3(y^2-6y+16)=0$

$(x+1)^2+3(y-4)^2=0$

This is true iff $x=-1$ and $y=4$.

We can conclude that the solutions for the original system are $x=-1$, $y=-4$ and $x=-1$, $y=4$.
 
  • #6
Albert's solution:
$x^3+3xy^2+49=0$---(1)
$x^2-8xy+y^2=8y-17x$----(2)
(1)+(2):
$x^2(x+1)-8y(x+1)+3y^2(x+1)+17(x+1)-2(y^2-16)=0$
$(x+1)(x^2-8y+3y^2+17)-2(y^2-16)=0-----(3)$
$\therefore (x+1)=0,\,\, and, \,\, y^2-16=0----(4)$
$or \,\, x^2-8y+3y^2+17=0 \,\, and,\,\, y^2-16=0----(5)$
it is clear the solution of (4) are :
(x,y)=(-1,4) and (x,y)=(-1,-4)
equation (5) has no solution
in all we get the solutions of original equations (1) and (2) are :
(x,y)=(-1,4) and (x,y)=(-1,-4)
 
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  • #7
Albert said:
$(x+1)(x^2−8y+3y^2+17)−2(y^2−16)=0−−−−−(3)$

in all we get the solutions of original equations (1) and (2) are :
(x,y)=(-1,4) and (x,y)=(-1,-4)

How about the possible solution of (3) where neither $(x+1)$ nor $(y^2-16)$ are zero?
 
  • #8
the plot of equation (1) is "Symmetrical" to the line y=0
and the plot of equation (2) is a "Hyperbola"
from (1) we get :
y=[FONT=MathJax_Main]±[/FONT]$ \sqrt{\dfrac{-49-x^3}{3x}}-----------(3)$
from (3) the range of x : $\sqrt[3]{-49}\leq x<0----(*)$
from (2) we rearrange it and obtain :
$y^2-y(8x+8)+x^2+17x=0$
$\therefore y=4(x+1)$[FONT=MathJax_Main]± [/FONT]$\sqrt {15x^2+15x+16}---------(4)$
if (3)=(4) :
y=[FONT=MathJax_Main]±[/FONT] $\sqrt{\dfrac{-49-x^3}{3x}}=4(x+1)$[FONT=MathJax_Main]±[/FONT] $\sqrt {15x^2+15x+16}----(5)$
the only possible solution is :x= - 1 and y=[FONT=MathJax_Main]±[/FONT]4
you may square both sides of (5) and find the solution of x
note: the range of x must meet the restriction of -----(*)
in all we conclude the solution of this equation system is x= -1 and [FONT=MathJax_Math]y=[/FONT][FONT=MathJax_Main]±4[/FONT]
 
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  • #9
I had some fun with this one.

Let's rewrite the top equation using mod 3:

[tex]x^3 + 1 = 0 \implies x = -1,~2,~5,~...[/tex] (all mod 3). We know that x = -1 since I cheated and graphed it. :)

So plugging in x = -1 into the bottom equation gives a simple quadratic equation in y. So we get:
[tex]y = \pm 4[/tex].

-Dan
 
  • #10
Hi all,

Thank you so much for participating in this particular problem and I truly appreciate the time and effort you have put into it.:D

Best Regards,

anemone
 

FAQ: Problem Involving a System of Equations

What is a system of equations?

A system of equations is a set of two or more equations that are solved simultaneously to find the values of the variables that satisfy all of the equations. In other words, it is a way to represent and solve multiple relationships between variables.

How do you solve a system of equations?

There are several methods for solving a system of equations, including substitution, elimination, and graphing. The most common method is substitution, where you solve one equation for one variable and then substitute that value into the other equation. This will give you a single equation with one unknown, which can then be solved using basic algebraic techniques.

Can a system of equations have more than one solution?

Yes, a system of equations can have one, infinite, or no solutions. If the equations have the same slope and y-intercept, they will have infinitely many solutions, as they represent the same line. If the equations have different slopes and y-intercepts, they will have one solution, which is the point where the two lines intersect. If the equations are parallel, they will have no solution, as they will never intersect.

How do you check if a set of values is a solution to a system of equations?

To check if a set of values is a solution, simply substitute the values into each equation and see if they make the equation true. If the values satisfy all of the equations, then they are a solution to the system.

Why is solving systems of equations important in science?

Solving systems of equations is important in science because it allows us to model and analyze real-world situations that involve multiple variables and relationships. Scientists use systems of equations to make predictions, solve problems, and understand complex systems in fields such as physics, chemistry, and biology.

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