Question

What is the maximum number of possible solutions for the system shown below?
x^2-4y^2=64
x^2+y^2=36

a. 4
b. 2
c. 1
d. 3

Answer 1

a

Answer 2

Visualize. The first equation is a hyperbola, the second is a circle. Both have some symmetry about the origin. If you think about it a little, you will probably come to the conclusion that there might be four solutions, two, or none at all. To find out how many there really are, you will have to actually solve it.