How to Find the Number of Points of Intersection Given in an Algebraic Equation
- 1). Graph both the algebraic equation and the other equation in question, on an x and y coordinate system.
- 2). Count the number of times that the algebraic equation intersects with the other equation.
- 3). Set the two equations equal to each other, alternatively. For instance, if you want to determine the number of times x=y intersects with the circle x2+y2=4, substituting the first equation into the second leads to the equation y2+y2=4, or 2y^2=4, simplifying to y=+/- sqrt (2). Simultaneously, x will equal +/- sqrt(2), meaning that there are two possible intersection points.
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