Question

The first step in determining the solution to the system of equations, y = –x2 – 4x – 3 and y = 2x + 5, algebraically is to set the two equations equal as –x2 – 4x – 3 = 2x + 5. What is the next step?

answers are:
Set y = 0 in y = –x2 – 4x – 3.
Factor each side of the equation.
Use substitution to create a one-variable equation.
Combine like terms onto one side of the equation.

Answer 1

Combine like terms onto one side of the equation

Explanation:

Given the first step in determining the solution to the system of equations,

y = –x2 – 4x – 3 and y = 2x + 5, algebraically as setting the two equations equal as shown: –x2 – 4x – 3 = 2x + 5, the next step will be to combine like terms onto one side of the equation. The like terms are the terms containing the variable x as shown;

-x²-4x-2x = 5+3

As we can see, the term containing x in the right hand side of the equation (i.e 2x) are being brought to the left side of the equation. This will be the next step in the calculation