Systems of Equations

★ Why study systems of equations?

 Systems of equations often provide the easiest way to solve real-world problems.
 Once a real world problem has been translated into systems of equations, the rest is usually
straightforward. We only need to solve the systems of equations.
 Systems of equations are widely used not only mathematics but also social sciences such as
psychology, sociology, business, or education.

★ This note …
 Provides three methods to solve system of equations
 Gives several real-world problems and show how to solve them.
 Provides a system of equations with three variables as a challenge!

★ Vocabulary (fill out the blank)

System of equations
A solution of system
of equations

★ Three types of solutions to systems of equations : Writer the solutions of each systems of
equations. How many solutions each have and write any special characteristics of each graph.

1
★ Graphing method using a table
① Make a table and find points to plot.
② Identify the solution. (Ordered pair where the lines intersect)
Example : Graph to find the solution of a system of equations using a table.
-3x + y = 1
2x + y = -8
1. Complete the table. 2. Complete the graph according to the pair of values
(x,y) in the table.
x y of y of
-3x + y = 1 2x + y = -8
-3 -8 2
-2 -5 0
-1
0 1 -4
1 4 -6
2
3 10 -10

3. What is the solution?

( , )

➠ Extra question : Find a solution using a table and a graph.

2x + 3y = 5
3x – 2y = 1
x 2x + 3y = 5 3x -2y = 1

Solution : ( , )

2
★ Substitution method
① Substitute one y-value with the other.
② Plug x-value into one of the equations.
Example : Find the solution of a system of equations using a substitution method.
y = 3x + 1
2x - y = 3

1. What is the solution?

( , )

➠ Extra question : Find a solution using substitution.

2x + 3y = 13 ①
-x + 2y = 4 ②
At first, you need to rewrite the equation ② so as to only x is left in the left side.

Then, substitute x in ① with to find the value of y.

Once you find y, plug y into any of two equations.

Finally, the solution is ( , ).

3
★ Elimination method
① Change any equation of the two equations to eliminate x-variable or y-variable by addition
or subtraction.
② Once you eliminate one variable, you can get the value of another variable.
③ Plug the found value into any of the two equations.
Example : Find the solution of a system of equations using a elimination method.
3x + y = 3
5x + 2y = 4

2. What is the solution?

( 2 , -3 )

➠ Extra question : Find a solution using elimination.

5x + 3y = 4 ①
2x + 4y = 10 ②

♣ Eliminate x and then calculate y. ♣ Eliminate y and then calculate x.

 What should be multiplied to ①? ( )  What should be multiplied to ①? ( )
 What should be multiplied to ②? ( )  What should be multiplied to ②? ( )

Rewrite two equations after multiplication. Rewrite two equations after multiplication.

What is the value of y? What is the value of x?

Plug y into ① or ②. Then what is x? ( ) Plug x into ① or ②. Then what is y? ( )
What is the solution? What is the solution?
( , ) ( , )

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★ WORD problems
♠ coin problem
If Jane has 36 coins totaling $3.00, and the coins x : number of nickels
are all nickels and quarters, how many of each y : number of quarters
coin does she have?
 Construct a system of equations.

 Solve the system using graphing.

 Solution : ( , )

♠ age problem
Cathy is twice as old as Alice. Three years from x : Cathy’s age now
now, the sum of their ages will be 42. How old y : Alice’s age now
is Cathy?
 Construct two equations.

 Solve the system using substitution.

Solution : ( , )

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♠ perimeter problem
The perimeter of a rectangle is 34 inches. If the x : length of a rectangle
length is 2 inches more than twice the width, y : width of a rectangle
find the length and the width of the rectangle.
 Construct two equations.

 Solve the system using elimination.

♠ mixture problem
How many ounces of 20% hydrochloric acid
solution and 70% hydrochloric acid solution
must be mixed to obtain 20 ounces of 50%
hydrochloric acid solution?
Solution : ( , )
x : ounce of 20% hydrochloric acid
y : ounce of 70% hydrochloric acid
 Construct two equations.

 Solve the system using graphing.

Solution : ( , )

6
★ Final challenge question : three variables
4x – 2y + 3z = 1 ①
x + 3y – 4z = -7 ②
3x + y + 2z = 5 ③

(1) Eliminate y in ① and ②.

(2) Eliminate y in ② and ③.

(3) From (1) and (2), you can have two equations with x and z. Now it is a normal system of
equations with two variables x and z. Find x and z using one of the methods you have
learned.

(4) Once you find x and z, plug those values into ①, ②, or ③ to find the value of y.