Intersection of 2 Polynomials

[gberg927]

I have a problem where I want to find where 2 1 dimension polynomials intersect.

Any ideas on a good algorithm to perform this task?

Thanks,

[BioPhysEngr]

Polynomial 1: y = ax^2 + bx + c
Polynomial 2: y = dx^2 + ex + f

Intersect at equality:
ax^2+bx+c = dx^2 + ex + f

Rearrange:
(a-d)x^2 + (b-e)x + (c-f) = 0

Solve with quadratic equation!

If this wasn't quadratic (and thus can be solved analytically), a good strategy would still be to subtract one from the other and then use Newton's method to do root finding.

Hope that helps.

[superbonzo]

If this wasn't quadratic (and thus ...

just wanted to note that there exist analytical formulas for polynomial roots up to and including degree 4 ...