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PrintIII OBM
Brazil geometry
Problem
For which does the system , have exactly (1) two, (2) three real solutions?
Solution
We have , so . This has 0, 1 or 2 real solutions according as , or .
gives , or , so there are two solutions to the original set. Similarly for .
If , then , . That gives 4 solutions unless one of the values of is 0, in which case we get 3 solutions. So gives or or . gives or or .
If , there are no solutions.
gives , or , so there are two solutions to the original set. Similarly for .
If , then , . That gives 4 solutions unless one of the values of is 0, in which case we get 3 solutions. So gives or or . gives or or .
If , there are no solutions.
Final answer
(1) Two solutions: k = ±√2. (2) Three solutions: k = ±1.
Techniques
Cartesian coordinatesQuadratic functions