Let c be a constant. For what values of c can the simultaneous equations x-y=2; cx+y=3xy=2;cx+y=3 have a solution (x, y) inside quadrant l?

2 Answers
Nov 24, 2016

In the first quadrant, both xx values and yy values are positive.

{(-y = 2 - x), (y = 3 - cx):}

-(3 - cx) = 2 - x

-3 + cx = 2 - x

cx + x = 5

x(c + 1) = 5

x = 5/(c + 1)

We need x > 0 for there to be a solution in quadrant 1.

5/(c + 1) > 0

There will be a vertical asymptote at c = -1. Pick test points to the left and to the right of this asymptote.

Let c = -2 and c= 2.

5/(3(-2) + 1) = 5/(-5)= -1

:. -1 >^O/ 0

So, the solution is c > -1.

Hence, all values of c that are larger than -1 will ensure that the intersection points are in the first quadrant.

Hopefully this helps!

Nov 25, 2016

-3/2 < c < 1

Explanation:

The equation x-y=2hArry=x-2 and hence this represents a line whose slope is 1 and intercept on y-axis is -2. Also intercept on x-axis can be obtained by putting y=0 and is 2. Equation of line appears as follows:
graph{x-2 [-10, 10, -5, 5]}

The other equation is cx+y=3 or y=-cx+3, which represents a line with y intercept and slope -c. For this line to intersect above line in Q1,

(i) it should have a minimum slope that of line joining (0,3) and intercept of above line on x-axis i.e. at (2,0), which is (0-3)/(2-0)=-3/2

and (ii) it should be passing through (3,0) but have slope not more than 1, as it will then intersect the line x-y=2 in Q3.

Hence, values of c for which simultaneous equations x-y=2 and cx+y=3 have a solution (x,y) inside Q1 are given by

-3/2 < c < 1

graph{(x-y-2)(x-y+3)(3x+2y-6)=0 [-10, 10, -5, 5]}