21.4 Point of intersection of two lines (simultaneous equations)
The point of intersection of two lines is the point (x, y) at which the two lines cross.
In Linking Thinking 1 and in Unit 2 of this book, we learned how to fi nd the point of intersection of two lines, using graphing methods and algebraically by solving the equations of the lines simultaneously.
To fi nd the point of intersection graphically, we draw both lines using the same axes and scales and write down the coordinates of the point where the two lines cross.
The point of intersection is the only point that will satisfy the equations of both lines at the same time (simultaneously).
Worked example 1 (i) Using the same axes and scales, draw a graph of the following lines.
2x + y − 3 = 0 and 3x − 4y − 10 = 0 . (ii) Use the graph to fi nd the point of intersection of these lines.
Solution (i)
2x + y – 3 = 0 3x – 4y – 10 = 0 y intersection Point of
By the end of this section you should be able to:
● fi nd the point of intersection of two lines both graphically and algebraically