SOLUTION: Parabola A fountain in a shopping mall has two parabolic arcs of water intersecting in one point. The equation of one parabola is y= -0.25x^2+2x and the equation of the second p

Algebra ->  Quadratic-relations-and-conic-sections -> SOLUTION: Parabola A fountain in a shopping mall has two parabolic arcs of water intersecting in one point. The equation of one parabola is y= -0.25x^2+2x and the equation of the second p      Log On


   



Question 1091797: Parabola
A fountain in a shopping mall has two parabolic arcs of water intersecting in one point. The equation of one parabola is y= -0.25x^2+2x and the equation of the second parabola is y= -0.25x^2+4.5x. How high above the base of the fountain do the parabolas intersect?

Answer by ikleyn(52798) About Me  (Show Source):
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A fountain in a shopping mall has two parabolic arcs of water intersecting in one point.
The equation of one parabola is y= -0.25x^2+2x and the equation of the second parabola is y= -0.25x^2+4.5x.
How high above the base of the fountain do the parabolas intersect?
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 y = -0.25x%5E2+%2B+2x       (1)

 y = -0.25x%5E2+%2B+4.5x     (2)


Since the left sides in (1) and (2) are equal at some x, we can equate the right sides to find x:

-0.25x%5E2+%2B+2x  = -0.25x%5E2+%2B+4.5x.


Simplify. Cancel the terms -0.25x%5E2 in both sides. You will get

2x = 4.5x  ====>  4.5x - 2x = 0  ====>  (4.5-2)*x = 0  ====>  x = 0.

So, the only solution is x = 0.


Then y = 0.


Answer.  The only intersection point is  (x,y) = (0,0).

If this solution seems to be incorrect to you, double check and revise you condition.