Final answer:
The equation of the curve that represents the intersection of the two surfaces S₁: x² + 4y² + z² = 6 and S₂: x² + 4y² + z² - 2x = 5 is found by subtracting the second equation from the first, solving for x, and then substituting back to find corresponding y and z. The resulting equation is x = 1/2, 4y² + z² = 23/4.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine an equation for the curve that is the intersection of S₁, defined by x² + 4y² + z² = 6, and S₂, defined by x² + 4y² + z² - 2x = 5, we observe that the terms quadratic in x, y, and z are the same in both equations.
Subtracting the second equation from the first, we get:
2x = 1
or
x = 1/2
Substituting x = 1/2 back into either S₁ or S₂ provides us with the equation of the curve. For example, substituting into S₁:
(1/2)² + 4y² + z² = 6
1/4 + 4y² + z² = 6
4y² + z² = 24/4 - 1/4
4y² + z² = 23/4
Therefore, the equation of the curve of intersection is:
x = 1/2, 4y² + z² = 23/4