M 1310 6.

1 2 X 2 Linear Systems 1
Solving 2X2 Linear Systems
M 1310 6.1 2 X 2 Linear Systems 2

Substitution Method

Find all the solutions of the system:

2x + y = 1
3x + 4 y = 14

Solve the first equation for y:

y = 1 − 2x

Now substitute for y ( y = 1-2x) in the second equation

and solve for x:

3x + 4(1 − 2 x ) = 14
3x + 4 − 8 x = 14
− 5x + 4 = 14
− 5x = 10
x = −2
M 1310 6.1 2 X 2 Linear Systems 3

Now substitute x = –2 into either original equation:

2( − 2 ) + y = 1
−4+y =1
y=5

Check.

Example 1: Solve the linear system:

x+y=8
x − 3y = 0

Example 2: Solve the linear system:

3x + y = 1
x − 2 y = −9
M 1310 6.1 2 X 2 Linear Systems 4

Elimination Method

Find all solutions of the systems.

3x + 2 y = 14
x − 2y = 2

Since the coefficients of the y term are the same except

having opposite signs. When adding the equations
together the y variable is eliminated. Most problems like
these do not work out this nice but it makes a good
example:

3x + x = 14 + 2
4 x = 16
x=4

Now substitute the 4 into either of the original equations

and solve for y:

4 − 2y = 2
− 2 y = −2
y =1

Check.
M 1310 6.1 2 X 2 Linear Systems 5

Example 3:

Find all solutions:

x + 2 y = −3
2 x + 5 y = −5

Example 4:

Find all solutions:

5x + 2 y = 2
7x + 3y = 6
M 1310 6.1 2 X 2 Linear Systems 6

The previous examples are the problems that have one

solution. Now lets look at problems that are examples of
no solution and infinitely many solutions.

Example 5:

Find all solutions.

2x + y = 5
4x + 2y = 8

Example 6:

Find all solutions.

2x + y = 4
− 6 x − 3y = −12