Intersections of Quadratic Graphs

Consider the graphs of a quadratic function and a linear function on the same set of axes.

cutting
2 points of intersection$b^2-4ac \gt 0$

touching
1 point of intersection$b^2-4ac = 0$

missing
no points of intersection$b^2-4ac \lt 0$

In the graphs meet, the coordinates of the points of intersection of the graphs can be found by solving the two equations simultaneously.

Example 1

Find the coordinates of the points of intersection of the graphs with equations $y=x^2$ and $y=x+2$.

$ \begin{align} \displaystyle
x^2 &= x+2 \\
x^2-x-2 &= 0 \\
(x-2)(x+1) &= 0 \\
x &= 2 \text{ or } x = -1 \\
x &= 2 \text{ giving } y = 2^2 = 4 \\
x &= -1 \text{ giving } y = (-1)^2 = 1 \\
\therefore &(2,4) \text{ and } (-1,1)
\end{align} $

Example 2

Find the coordinates of the points of intersection of the graphs with equations $y=2x^2+2x-5$ and $y=x^2-2x$.

$ \begin{align} \displaystyle
2x^2+2x-5 &= y=x^2-2x \\
x^2 + 4x-5 &= 0 \\
(x+5)(x-1) &= 0 \\
x &= -5 \text{ or } x = 1 \\
x &= -5 \text{ giving } y = (-5)^2-2 \times (-5) = 35 \\
x &= 1 \text{ giving } y = 1^2-2 \times 1 = -1 \\
\therefore &(-5,35) \text{ and } (1,-1)
\end{align} $

Example 3

$y=x^2-x-2$ and $y=x-k$ have two intersections. Find $k$.

$ \begin{align} \displaystyle
x^2-x-2 &= x-k \\
x^2-2x+k-2 &= 0 \\
b^2-4ac &\gt 0 &\text{two intersections}\\
(-2)^2-4 \times 1 \times (k-2) > 0 \\
4-4k+8 > 0 \\
-4k &\gt-12 \\
\therefore k &\lt 3
\end{align} $

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Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

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