8.5: Solving Nonlinear Systems

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Learning Objectives

Identify nonlinear systems.
Solve nonlinear systems using the substitution method.

Nonlinear Systems

A system of equations where at least one equation is not linear is called a nonlinear system³². In this section we will use the substitution method to solve nonlinear systems. Recall that solutions to a system with two variables are ordered pairs \((x,y)\) that satisfy both equations.

Example \(\PageIndex{1}\):

Solve: \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x+2 y=0} \\ {x^{2}+y^{2}=5}\end{array}\right.\).

Solution

In this case we begin by solving for x in the first equation.

\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x+2 y=0} \\ {x^{2}+y^{2}=5}\end{array}\Longrightarrow x=-2y \right.\)

Substitute \(x=−2y\) into the second equation and then solve for \(y\).

\(\begin{aligned}(\color{Cerulean}{-2y }\color{black}{)}^{2}+y^{2} &=5 \\ 4 y^{2}+y^{2} &=5 \\ 5 y^{2} &=5 \\ y^{2} &=1 \\ y &=\pm 1 \end{aligned}\)

Here there are two answers for \(y\); use \(x=−2y\) to find the corresponding \(x\)-values.

Table \(\PageIndex{1}\)
Using \(y=-1\)	Using \(y=1\)
\(\begin{aligned} x &=-2 y \\ &=-2(-1) \\ &=2 \end{aligned}\)	\(\begin{aligned} x &=-2 y \\ &=-2(1) \\ &=-2 \end{aligned}\)

This gives us two ordered pair solutions, \((2,−1)\) and \((−2,1)\).

Answer:

\((2,−1), (−2,1)\)

In the previous example, the given system consisted of a line and a circle. Graphing these equations on the same set of axes, we can see that the two ordered pair solutions correspond to the two points of intersection.

If we are given a system consisting of a circle and a line, then there are \(3\) possibilities for real solutions—two solutions as pictured above, one solution, or no solution.

Example \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Solve: \(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x+y=3} \\ {x^{2}+y^{2}=2}\end{array}\right.\).

Solution

Solve for \(y\) in the first equation.

\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x+y} \\ {x^{2}+y^{2}}\end{array}\right.\)

Next, substitute \(y=3−x\) into the second equation and then solve for \(x\).

\(\begin{array}{r}{x^{2}+(\color{Cerulean}{3-x}\color{black}{)}^{2}=2} \\ {x^{2}+9-6 x+x^{2}=2} \\ {2 x^{2}-6 x+9=2} \\ {2 x^{2}-6 x+7=0}\end{array}\)

The resulting equation does not factor. Furthermore, using \(a=2\),\( b=−6\), and \(c=7\) we can see that the discriminant is negative:

\(\begin{aligned} b^{2}-4 a c &=(-6)^{2}-4(2)(7) \\ &=36-56 \\ &=-20 \end{aligned}\)

We conclude that there are no real solutions to this equation and thus no solution to the system.

Answer:

\(Ø\)

Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Solve: \(\left\{\begin{aligned} x-y &=5 \\ x^{2}+(y+1)^{2} &=8 \end{aligned}\right.\)

Answer

\((2,−3)\)

www.youtube.com/v/ToIrjw-8SNA

If given a circle and a parabola, then there are \(5\) possibilities for solutions.

When using the substitution method, we can perform the substitution step using entire algebraic expressions. The goal is to produce a single equation in one variable that can be solved using the techniques learned up to this point in our study of algebra.

Example \(\PageIndex{3}\):

Solve: \(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+y^{2}=2} \\ {y-x^{2}=-2}\end{array}\right.\).

Solution

We can solve for \(x^{2}\) in the second equation.

\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x^{2}+y^{2}=2} \\ {y-x^{2}=-2 \quad \Rightarrow \quad y+2=x^{2}}\end{array}\right.\)

Substitute \(x^{2}=y+2\) into the first equation and then solve for \(y\).

\(\begin{aligned} \color{Cerulean}{y+2}\color{black}{+}y^{2} &=2 \\ y^{2}+y &=0 \\ y(y+1) &=0 \\ y &=0 \quad \text { or } \quad y=-1 \end{aligned}\)

Back substitute into \(x^{2}=y+2\) to find the corresponding \(x\)-values.

Table \(\PageIndex{2}\)
Using \(y=-1\)	Using \(y=0\)
\(\begin{aligned} x^{2} &=y+2 \\ x^{2} &=\color{Cerulean}{-1}\color{black}{+}2 \\ x^{2} &=1 \\ x &=\pm 1 \end{aligned}\)	\(\begin{aligned} x^{2} &=y+2 \\ x^{2} &=\color{Cerulean}{0}\color{black}{+}2 \\ x^{2} &=2 \\ x &=\pm \sqrt{2} \end{aligned}\)

This leads us to four solutions, \((±1,−1)\) and \((\pm \sqrt{2}, 0)\).

Answer:

\((\pm 1,-1),(\pm \sqrt{2}, 0)\)

Example \(\PageIndex{4}\)

Solve: \(\left\{\begin{aligned}(x-1)^{2}-2 y^{2} &=4 \\ x^{2}+y^{2} &=9 \end{aligned}\right.\)

Solution

We can solve for \(y^{2}\) in the second equation,

\(\left\{\begin{array}{r}{(x-1)^{2}-2 y^{2}=4} \\ {x^{2}+y^{2}=9}\end{array}\right. \Longrightarrow y^{2}=9-x^{2}\)

Substitute \(y^{2}=9−x^{2}\) into the first equation and then solve for \(x\).

\(\begin{aligned}(x-1)^{2}-2\color{black}{\left(\color{Cerulean}{9-x^{2}}\right) }&=4 \\ x^{2}-2 x+1-18+2 x^{2} &=0 \\ 3 x^{2}-2 x-21 &=0 \\(3 x+7)(x-3) &=0 \\ 3 x+7 &=0 \text { or } x-3=0 \\ x &=-\frac{7}{3} \quad x=3 \end{aligned}\)

Back substitute into \(y^{2}=9−x^{2}\) to find the corresponding \(y\)-values.

Table \(\PageIndex{3}\)
Using \(x=-\frac{7}{3}\)	Using \(x=3\)
\(\begin{array}{l}{y^{2}=9-\color{black}{\left(\color{Cerulean}{-\frac{7}{3}}\right)^{2}}} \\ {y^{2}=\frac{9}{1}-\frac{49}{9}} \\ {y^{2}=\frac{32}{9}} \\ {y=\pm \frac{\sqrt{32}}{3}=\pm \frac{4 \sqrt{2}}{3}}\end{array}\)	\(\begin{aligned} y^{2} &=9-(\color{Cerulean}{3}\color{black}{)}^{2} \\ y^{2} &=0 \\ y &=0 \end{aligned}\)

This leads to three solutions, \(\left(-\frac{7}{3}, \pm \frac{4 \sqrt{2}}{3}\right)\) and \((3,0)\).

Answer:

\((3,0),\left(-\frac{7}{3}, \pm \frac{4 \sqrt{2}}{3}\right)\)

Example \(\PageIndex{5}\)

Solve: \(\left\{\begin{aligned} x^{2}+y^{2} &=2 \\ x y &=1 \end{aligned}\right.\).

Solution

Solve for \(y\) in the second equation.

\(\left\{\begin{array}{r}{x^{2}+y^{2}=2} \\ {x y=1}\end{array}\right.\Longrightarrow y=\frac{1}{x}\)

Substitute \(y=\frac{1}{x}\) into the first equation and then solve for \(x\).

\(x^{2}+\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)^{2}=2\)
\(x^{2}+\frac{1}{x^{2}}=2\)

This leaves us with a rational equation. Make a note that \(x≠0\) and multiply both sides by \(x^{2}\).

\(\begin{aligned} \color{Cerulean}{x^{2}}\color{black}{\left(x^{2}+\frac{1}{x^{2}}\right)} &=2 \cdot \color{Cerulean}{x^{2}} \\ x^{4}+1 &=2 x^{2} \\ x^{4}-2 x^{2}+1 &=0 \\\left(x^{2}-1\right)\left(x^{2}-1\right) &=0 \end{aligned}\)

At this point we can see that both factors are the same. Apply the zero product property.

\(\begin{aligned} x^{2}-1 &=0 \\ x^{2} &=1 \\ x &=\pm 1 \end{aligned}\)

Back substitute into \(y=\frac{1}{x}\) to find the corresponding \(y\)-values.

Using \(x=-1\)	Using \(x=1\)
\(\begin{aligned} y &=\frac{1}{x} \\ &=\frac{1}{\color{Cerulean}{-1}} \\ &=-1 \end{aligned}\)	\(\begin{aligned} y &=\frac{1}{x} \\ &=\frac{1}{\color{Cerulean}{1}} \\ &=1 \end{aligned}\)

This leads to two solutions.

Answer:

\((1,1),(-1,-1)\)

Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Solve: \(\left\{\begin{array}{r}{\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{y}=4} \\ {\frac{1}{x^{2}}+\frac{1}{y^{2}}=40}\end{array}\right.\)

Answer

\(\left(-\frac{1}{2}, \frac{1}{6}\right)\left(\frac{1}{6},-\frac{1}{2}\right)\)

www.youtube.com/v/n8JJ_ybegkM

Key Takeaways

Use the substitution method to solve nonlinear systems.
Streamline the solving process by using entire algebraic expressions in the substitution step to obtain a single equation with one variable.
Understanding the geometric interpretation of the system can help in finding real solutions.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)

Solve.

\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+y^{2}=10} \\ {x+y=4}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+y^{2}=5} \\ {x-y=-3}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x^{2}+y^{2}=30} \\ {x-3 y=0}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+y^{2}=10} \\ {2 x-y=0}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+y^{2}=18} \\ {2 x-2 y=-12}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned}(x-4)^{2}+y^{2} &=25 \\ 4 x-3 y &=16 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{3 x^{2}+2 y^{2}=21} \\ {3 x-y=0}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} x^{2}+5 y^{2} &=36 \\ x-2 y &=0 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{4 x^{2}+9 y^{2}=36} \\ {2 x+3 y=6}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{4 x^{2}+y^{2}=4} \\ {2 x+y=-2}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{2 x^{2}+y^{2}=1} \\ {x+y=1}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{4 x^{2}+3 y^{2}=12} \\ {2 x-y=2}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} x^{2}-2 y^{2} &=35 \\ x-3 y &=0 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{5 x^{2}-7 y^{2}=39} \\ {2 x+4 y=0}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{9 x^{2}-4 y^{2}=36} \\ {3 x+2 y=0}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x^{2}+y^{2}=25} \\ {x-2 y=-12}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{2 x^{2}+3 y=9} \\ {8 x-4 y=12}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{2 x-4 y^{2}=3} \\ {3 x-12 y=6}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} 4 x^{2}+3 y^{2} &=12 \\ x-\frac{3}{2} &=0 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} 5 x^{2}+4 y^{2} &=40 \\ y-3 &=0 \end{aligned}\right.\)
The sum of the squares of two positive integers is \(10\). If the first integer is added to twice the second integer, the sum is \(7\). Find the integers.
The diagonal of a rectangle measures \(\sqrt{5}\) units and has a perimeter equal to \(6\) units. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.
For what values of \(b\) will the following system have real solutions? \(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+y^{2}=1} \\ {y=x+b}\end{array}\right.\)
For what values of \(m\) will be the following system have real solutions? \(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}-y^{2}=1} \\ {y=m x}\end{array}\right.\)

Answer

1. \((1,3),(3,1)\)

3. \((-3 \sqrt{3},-\sqrt{3}),(3 \sqrt{3}, \sqrt{3})\)

5. \((-3,3)\)

7. \((-1,-3),(1,3)\)

9. \((0,2),(3,0)\)

11. \((0,1),\left(\frac{2}{3}, \frac{1}{3}\right)\)

13. \((-3 \sqrt{5},-\sqrt{5}),(3 \sqrt{5}, \sqrt{5})\)

15. \(\emptyset\)

17. \(\left(\frac{-3+3 \sqrt{5}}{2},-6+3 \sqrt{5}\right) ,\left(\frac{-3-3 \sqrt{5}}{2},-6-3 \sqrt{5}\right)\)

19. \(\left(\frac{3}{2},-1\right),\left(\frac{3}{2}, 1\right)\)

21. \(1,3\)

23. \(b \in[-\sqrt{2}, \sqrt{2}]\)

Exercise \(\PageIndex{4}\)

Solve.

\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+y^{2}=4} \\ {y-x^{2}=2}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x^{2}+y^{2}=4} \\ {y-x^{2}=-2}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+y^{2}=4} \\ {y-x^{2}=3}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+y^{2}=4} \\ {4 y-x^{2}=-4}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+3 y^{2}=9} \\ {y^{2}-x=3}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+3 y^{2}=9} \\ {x+y^{2}=-4}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} 4 x^{2}-3 y^{2} &=12 \\ x^{2}+y^{2} &=1 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x^{2}+y^{2}=1} \\ {x^{2}-y^{2}=1}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} x^{2}+y^{2} &=1 \\ 4 y^{2}-x^{2}-4 y &=0 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} x^{2}+y^{2} &=4 \\ 2 x^{2}-y^{2}+4 x &=0 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} 2(x-2)^{2}+y^{2} &=6 \\(x-3)^{2}+y^{2} &=4 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+y^{2}-6 y=0} \\ {4 x^{2}+5 y^{2}+20 y=0}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x^{2}+4 y^{2}=25} \\ {4 x^{2}+y^{2}=40}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}-2 y^{2}=-10} \\ {4 x^{2}+y^{2}=10}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{2 x^{2}+y^{2}=14} \\ {x^{2}-(y-1)^{2}=6}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{3 x^{2}-(y-2)^{2}=12} \\ {x^{2}+(y-2)^{2}=1}\end{array}\right.\)
The difference of the squares of two positive integers is \(12\). The sum of the larger integer and the square of the smaller is equal to \(8\). Find the integers.
The difference between the length and width of a rectangle is \(4\) units and the diagonal measures \(8\) units. Find the dimensions of the rectangle. Round off to the nearest tenth.
The diagonal of a rectangle measures \(p\) units and has a perimeter equal to \(2q\) units. Find the dimensions of the rectangle in terms of \(p\) and \(q\).
The area of a rectangle is \(p\) square units and its perimeter is \(2q\) units. Find the dimensions of the rectangle in terms of \(p\) and \(q\).

Answer

1. \((0,2)\)

3. \(\emptyset\)

5. \((-3,0),(0,-\sqrt{3}),(0, \sqrt{3})\)

7. \(\emptyset\)

9. \((0,1),\left(-\frac{2 \sqrt{5}}{5},-\frac{1}{5}\right),\left(\frac{2 \sqrt{5}}{5},-\frac{1}{5}\right)\)

11. \((3,-2),(3,2)\)

13. \((-3,-2),(-3,2),(3,-2),(3,2)\)

15. \((-\sqrt{7}, 0),(\sqrt{7}, 0),\left(-\frac{\sqrt{55}}{3}, \frac{4}{3}\right),\left(\frac{\sqrt{55}}{3}, \frac{4}{3}\right)\)

17. \(2,4\)

19. \(\frac{q+\sqrt{2 p^{2}-q^{2}}}{2}\) units by \(\frac{q-\sqrt{2 p^{2}-q^{2}}}{2}\) units

Exercise \(\PageIndex{5}\)

Solve.

\(\left\{\begin{aligned} x^{2}+y^{2} &=26 \\ x y &=5 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} x^{2}+y^{2} &=10 \\ x y &=3 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} 2 x^{2}-3 y^{2} &=5 \\ x y &=1 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{3 x^{2}-4 y^{2}=-11} \\ {x y=1}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{x^{2}+y^{2}=2} \\ {x y-2=0}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x^{2}+y^{2}=1} \\ {2 x y-1=0}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} 4 x-y^{2} &=0 \\ x y &=2 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{3 y-x^{2}=0} \\ {x y-9=0}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} 2 y-x^{2} &=0 \\ x y-1 &=0 \end{aligned}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{aligned} x-y^{2} &=0 \\ x y &=3 \end{aligned}\right.\)
The diagonal of a rectangle measures \(2\sqrt{10}\) units. If the area of the rectangle is \(12\) square units, find its dimensions.
The area of a rectangle is \(48\) square meters and the perimeter measures \(32\) meters. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.
The product of two positive integers is \(72\) and their sum is \(18\). Find the integers.
The sum of the squares of two positive integers is \(52\) and their product is \(24\). Find the integers.

Answer

1. \((-5,-1),(5,1),(-1,-5),(1,5)\)

3. \(\left(-\sqrt{3},-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}\right),\left(\sqrt{3}, \frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}\right)\)

5. \(\emptyset\)

7. \((1,2)\)

9. \(\left(\sqrt[3]{2}, \frac{\sqrt[3]{4}}{2}\right)\)

11. \(2\) units by \(6\) units

13. \(6,12\)

Exercise \(\PageIndex{6}\)

Solve.

\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{y}=4} \\ {\frac{1}{x}-\frac{1}{y}=2}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{\frac{2}{x}-\frac{1}{y}=5} \\ {\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{y}=2}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{\frac{1}{x}+\frac{2}{y}=1} \\ {\frac{3}{x}-\frac{1}{y}=2}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{y}=6} \\ {\frac{1}{x^{2}}+\frac{1}{y^{2}}=20}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{y}=2} \\ {\frac{1}{x^{2}}+\frac{1}{y^{2}}=34}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x y-16=0} \\ {2 x^{2}-y=0}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x+y^{2}=4} \\ {y=\sqrt{x}}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{c}{y^{2}-(x-1)^{2}=1} \\ {y=\sqrt{x}}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{y=2^{x}} \\ {y=2^{2 x}-56}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{y=3^{2 x}-72} \\ {y-3^{x}=0}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{y=e^{4 x}} \\ {y=e^{2 x}+6}\end{array}\right.\)
\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{y-e^{2 x}=0} \\ {y-e^{x}=0}\end{array}\right.\)

Answer

1. \(\left(\frac{1}{3}, 1\right)\)

3. \(\left(\frac{7}{5}, 7\right)\)

5. \(\left(-\frac{1}{3}, \frac{1}{5}\right),\left(\frac{1}{5},-\frac{1}{3}\right)\)

7. \((2, \sqrt{2})\)

9. \((3,8)\)

11. \(\left(\frac{\ln 3}{2}, 9\right)\)

Exercise \(\PageIndex{7}\)

How many real solutions can be obtained from a system that consists of a circle and a hyperbola? Explain.
Make up your own nonlinear system, solve it, and provide the answer. Also, provide a graph and discuss the geometric interpretation of the solutions.

Answer: 1. Answer may vary

Footnotes

³²A system of equations where at least one equation is not linear.