(6.

6)
Classic Applications of Systems
of Equations
 Solving Word Problems Using
Systems of Equations
• Define variables
• Make a table
• Write the linear system and solve
using the most appropriate
method

MUST practice to become proficient!!

2
 Solving Word Problems Using
Systems of Equations (Example 1)
Ex 1: Read pg. 292 Example 1
How many ounces of a 15% acid solution should
be mixed with a 40% acid solution to produce 60
ounces of a 25% acid solution?

Define: x = the number of ounces of 15% acid

solution
y = the number of ounces of 40% acid
solution
How many ounces of a 15% acid solution should
be mixed with a 40% acid solution to produce 60
ounces of a 25% acid solution?

% acid Amount Amount of

of acid
solution
First Solution 15% x 0.15x

Second 40% y 0.40y

Solution
Final Solution 25% 60 0.25(60)
 % acid Amount of Amount of acid
solution

First Solution 15% x 0.15x

Second Solution 40% y 0.40y

Final Solution 25% 60 0.25(60)

x + y = 60 0.15x + 0.40y = 0.25(60)

x + y = 60
0.15x + 0.40y = 0.25(60)
 x + y = 60
0.15x + 0.40y = 0.25(60)

x = 36; y = 24

To get the required 60 ounces of the 25% acid

solution, mix 36 ounces of the 15% acid solution
with 24 ounces of the 40% acid solution.
 Solving Word Problems Using
Systems of Equations (Practice 1)
Practice 1:
How many ounces of a 20% acid solution should
be mixed with a 70% acid solution to produce 50
ounces of a 40% acid solution?

Define: x = the number of ounces of 20% acid

solution
y = the number of ounces of 70% acid
solution
How many ounces of a 20% acid solution should
be mixed with a 70% acid solution to produce 50
ounces of a 40% acid solution?

% acid Amount Amount of

of acid
solution
First Solution 20% x 0.20x

Second 70% y 0.70y

Solution
Final Solution 40% 50 0.40(50)
 % acid Amount of Amount of acid
solution

First Solution 20% x 0.20x

Second Solution 70% y 0.70y

Final Solution 40% 50 0.40(50)

x + y = 50 0.20x + 0.70y = 0.40(50)

x + y = 50
0.20x + 0.70y = 0.40(50)
 x + y = 60
0.15x + 0.40y = 0.25(60)

x = 36; y = 24

To get the required 60 ounces of the 25% acid

solution, mix 36 ounces of the 15% acid solution
with 24 ounces of the 40% acid solution.
 Solving Word Problems Using
Systems of Equations (Example 2)
Ex 2: Read pg. 293 Example 2
In a coin bank, there are 250 dimes and quarters
worth a total of $39.25. Find how many of each
kind of coin are in the bank.

Define: d = number of dimes

q = number of quarters
 In a coin bank, there are 250 dimes and
quarters worth a total of $39.25. Find how
many of each kind of coin are in the bank.

Number Coin Value in

Value cents
Quarters q .25 .25q

Dimes d .10 .10d

Total 250 39.25

 Number Coin Value in cents
Value

Quarters q .25 .25q

Dimes d .10 .10d

Total 250 39.25

q + d = 250 0.25q + 0.10d = 39.25

q + d = 250
0.25q + 0.10d = 39.25
 q + d = 250
0.25q + 0.10d = 39.25

q = 95; d = 155

The coin bank has 95 quarters and 155 dimes.

 Solving Word Problems Using
Systems of Equations (Practice 2)
Practice 2:
In a coin bank, there are 125 nickels and dimes
worth a total of $10.50. Find how many of each
kind of coin are in the bank.

Define: n = number of nickels

d = number of dimes
In a coin bank, there are 125 nickels and dimes
worth a total of $10.50. Find how many of each
kind of coin are in the bank.

Number Coin Value in

Value cents
Nickels n .05 .05n

Dimes d .10 .10d

Total 125 10.50

 Number Coin Value in cents
Value

Quarters n .05 .05n

Dimes d .10 .10d
Total 125 10.50

n + d = 125 0.05n + 0.10d = 10.50

n + d = 125
0.05n + 0.10d = 10.50
 n + d = 125
0.05n + 0.10d = 10.50

n = 40; d = 85

The coin bank has 40 nickels and 85 dimes.

 Solving Word Problems Using
Systems of Equations (Example 3)
Ex 3: Read pg. 294 Example 3
The sum of the digits of a two-digit number is 7.
The original two-digit number is 3 less than 4 times
the number with its digits reversed. Find the
original two-digit number.

Define: u = units digit of the original number

t = tens digit of the original number
The sum of the digits of a two-digit number is 7.
The original two-digit number is 3 less than 4 times
the number with its digits reversed. Find the
original two-digit number.

The two-digit number : 10t + u

The number with its digits reversed: 10u + t
sum of digits is 7 t+u=7
original two-digit
number is 3 less than 10t + u =
4 times the number 4(10u + t) - 3
with its digits reversed
 t+u=7
10t + u = 4(10u + t) - 3

t = 6; u = 1

The number 61 is a two-digit number which is 3

less than 4 times itself with its digits reversed.
 Solving Word Problems Using
Systems of Equations (Practice 3)
Practice 3:
The sum of the digits of a two-digit number is 6.
The original two-digit number is 6 less than twice
the number with its digits reversed. Find the
original two-digit number.

Define: u = units digit of the original number

t = tens digit of the original number
The sum of the digits of a two-digit number is 6.
The original two-digit number is 6 less than twice
the number with its digits reversed. Find the
original two-digit number.

The two-digit number : 10t + u

The number with its digits reversed: 10u + t
sum of digits is 6 t+u=6
original two-digit
number is 6 less than 10t + u =
twice the number with 2(10u + t) - 6
its digits reversed
 t+u=6
10t + u = 2(10u + t) - 6

t = 4; u = 2

The number 42 is a two-digit number which is 6

less than twice itself with its digits reversed.
 Solving Word Problems Using
Systems of Equations (Example 4)
Example 4: Read pg. 294 Example 4
A plane leaves New York City and heads for
Chicago, which is 750 miles away. The plane,
flying against the wind, takes 2.5 hours to reach
Chicago. After refueling the plane returns to New
York City, traveling with the wind, in 2 hours. Find
the rate of the wind and the rate of the plane with
no wind.
Define: x = rate of plane without wind
y = rate of wind
A plane leaves New York City and heads for Chicago,
which is 750 miles away. The plane, flying against the
wind, takes 2.5 hours to reach Chicago. After refueling the
plane returns to New York City, traveling with the wind, in 2
hours. Find the rate of the wind and the rate of the plane
with no wind.

Rate Time Distance

Rate against x–y 2.5 750

wind
Rate with wind x+y 2 750
 Rate Time Distance

Rate against x–y 2.5 750

wind (x – y)(2.5) = 750
Rate with wind x+y 2 750 (x + y)(2) = 750

(x – y)(2.5) = 750
x = 337.5; y = 37.5
(x + y)(2) = 750

The rate of the plane is 337.5 miles per hour and

the rate of the wind is 37.5 miles per hour.
 Solving Word Problems Using
Systems of Equations (Practice 4)
Practice 4:
A boat went upstream (against the current) a
distance of 90 miles in 4.5 hours. The boat went
the same distance downstream (with the current)
in 3 hours. Find the rate of the current and the
rate of the boat with no current.

Define: x = rate of boat without current

y = rate of current
A boat went upstream (against the current) a
distance of 90 miles in 4.5 hours. The boat went
the same distance downstream (with the current)
in 3 hours. Find the rate of the current and the
rate of the boat with no current.

Rate Time Distance

Rate against x–y 4.5 90

current
Rate with x+y 3 90
current
 Rate Time Distance

Rate x–y 4.5 90

against (x – y)(4.5) = 90
current
Rate with x+y 3 90 (x + y)(3) = 90
current

(x – y)(4.5) = 90
x = 25; y = 5
(x + y)(3) = 90

The rate of the boat is 25 miles per hour and the

rate of the current is 5 miles per hour.