Solving Systems of Equations

M.ENBAN MADHU SHANKAR II M.Sc Maths

Definition
A system of equations is a set of two or more equations that have variables in common. The common variables relate to similar quantities. Remember, when solving systems of equations, you are looking for a solution that makes each equation true. There are several strategies you can use

Solving Systems of Equations Elimination method

You can use the Addition and Subtraction to solve a system by the elimination method. You can add or subtract equations to eliminate (getting rid of) a variable.

If you add the two equations together, the +6y and -6y cancel each other out because of the Property of Additive Inverse

Step 1
5x 6y = -32 3x + 6y = 48 Eliminate y because the sum of the coefficients of y is zero 5x 6y = -32 3x + 6y = 48 8x + 0 = 16 x = 2

Step 2
Solve for the eliminated variable y using either of the original equations. 3x + 6y = 48 3(2) + 6y = 48 6 + 6y = 48 6y = 42 y = 7

Since x = 2 and y = 7, the solution is (2, 7)

Check
5x 6y = -32 3x + 6y = 48 5(2) 6(7) = -32 3(2) + 6(7) = 48 10 42 = -32 6 + 42 = 48 -32 = -32 48 = 48 TRUE Remember, the order pair (2, 7) must make both equations true.

Solving Systems of Equations

Substitution Method

The substitution method is used to eliminate one of the variables by replacement when solving a system of equations.

Step 1
3y 2x = 11 Y + 2x = 9
Solve one of the equations for either x or y. In this example it is easier to solve the second equation for y, since it only involves one step. Y = 9 2x

Step 2
Replace the y value in the first equation by what y now equals (y = 9 2x). Grab the y
value and plug it into the other equation.

3y 2x = 11 3(9 2x) 2x = 11

Step 3
Solve this new equation for x. 3(9 2x) 2x = 11 27 6x 2x = 11 27 6x 2x = 11 27 8x = 11 -8x = -16 x=2

Step 4
Now that we know the x value (x = 2), we place it into either of the ORIGINAL equations in order to solve for y. Pick the easier one to work
with!

Y + 2x = 9 y + 2(2) = 9 y+4=9 y=5

Step 5
Check: substitute x = 2 and y = 5 into BOTH ORIGINAL equations. If these answers are correct BOTH equations will be true! 3y 2x = 11 3(5) 2(2) = 11 15 4 = 11 11 = 11 True? Y + 2x = 9 5 + 2(2) = 9 5+4=9 9 = 9 True?

Solving Systems of Equations

Graphing Method

The solution of a system in x and y is any ordered pair (x, y) that satisfies each of the equations in the system. The solution of a system of equations is the intersection of the graphs of the equations.

If you can graph a straight line, you can solve systems of equations graphically!

Remember using the graphing method many times only approximates the solution, so sometimes it can be unreliable.

Solving Systems of Equations by Graphing:

To solve a system of equations graphically, graph both equations and see where they intersect. The intersection point is the solution.
4x 6y = 12 6y = 4x 12 6 6 6 y = 2/3x 2 slope = 2/3 y-intercept = -2 2x + 2y = 6 2y = -2x + 6 2 2 2 y = -x + 3 slope = -1/1 y-intercept = 3

Graph the equations

The slope-intercept method of graphing was used in this example.
The point of intersection of the two lines (3, 0) is the solution to the system of equations. This means that (3, 0), when substituted into either equation, will make them both true.

Summary of Solutions of Systems of Linear Equations

y 2x = 7
Y = 2x + 3

Use a graph to solve each system of equations. If the system has no solution, write none.

y x 1 y 5 x y x 5 y x 1 y x 5 y x 3

1 y 4 x4 1 y 2 x2 2 x y 1 2 x y 2

x y 3 y x 7

Note:
Some systems of equations may be very difficult to solve using the graphing method. The exact solution would be hard to determine from a graph because the coordinates are not integers. Solving a system algebraically is better than graphing when you need an accurate solution.

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