The line y=5-x intersects the curve y=x^2-3x+2 at the points P and Q. Find the (x,y) coordinates of P and Q.

Step 1: To find the points of intersection, we must find where the y and x values are equal. Therefore 5-x=x2-3x+2 where the y-values are equal.

Step 2: Rearrange the above into the quadratic equation x2-2x-3=0 by adding -x and subtracting 5 from both sides.

Step 3: Factorise the equation to find the x-values where the lines intersect. This gives (x+1)(x-3)=0.

Step 4: This shows that x+1=0 and x-3=0, therefore x=-1 or 3.

Step 5: Find the y-values that correspond to the above x-values. When x=-1, y=5-(-1)=6 and when x=3, y=5-3=2. Therefore P and Q are the points (-1,6) and (3,2)

GB
Answered by Georgina B. Maths tutor

21729 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

A hollow sphere of radius r is being filled with water. The surface area of a hemisphere is 3pi*r^2. Question: When the water is at height r, and filling at a rate of 4cm^3s^-1, what is dS/dT?


Find the coordinates of the maximum stationary point of the y = x^2 +4x curve.


Functions: If f(x)=3x^2 - 4 and g(x) = x + 3, 1) Evaluate f(3), 2) Find the inverse of f(x) (f^-1(x)), 3)Find fg(x).


Simplify √32 + √18 giving your answer in the form of a√2.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning