16Hit1600
Advanced MathHardIntersection of a circle and a line through the origin

Advanced Math practice question

In the xy-plane, the circle x² + y² = 20 and the line y = 2x intersect at two points. Which of the following is one of them?

  1. A. (2, 4)Correct
  2. B. (4, 2)
  3. C. (2, 2)
  4. D. (−4, 2)

Answer: A. (2, 4)

Substitute y = 2x: x² + 4x² = 20, so x² = 4 and x = ±2. Then y = ±4: (2, 4) and (−2, −4).

Why the other answers are wrong

B. (4, 2)
(4, 2) is on the circle but not on y = 2x (2 ≠ 8).
C. (2, 2)
(2, 2) is on neither: 8 ≠ 20 and 2 ≠ 4.
D. (−4, 2)
(−4, 2) is on the circle but the line gives y = −8.

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