System of Linear Equations

and Inequalities
Introduction
• Frequently, a mathematical model may
involve more than one constraint on a
set of variables
• Example:
– limitations on the amount of resources used
in a production process
– The requirements of a delivery schedule
 System of Linear
Equations
• If each constraint is expressed as a linear
equation the constraints form a system of
linear equations
• Example:
– Linear Demand Function and Linear Supply
Function  market system
– Linear Revenue Function and Linear Cost
Function  Break Even Analysis
 System and Solution
• The solution to a system of linear
equations is a set of values which
simultaneously satisfy all the equations (or
conditions) of the system
• For any system of linear equation, 3
possibilities exist:
– There may be no solutions
– A single solution
– An unlimited number of solutions
System and Solutions Graphically

• The solution of a system of two linear

equations in two variables is represented
graphically by the point of intersection of the
two lines (equations)
• The no-solution case for a system of two
equations and two variables is represented by
two lines which are parallel (they do not
intersect)
• For the unlimited number of solutions, the lines
are the same
Solutions graphically

Equation 2

Equation 1

A unique solution
 Solutions graphically

Equation 2

Equation 1

No solution
Solutions graphically
Equation 2

Equation 1

Many solution
 System and Solution

• The graphical description apply to

systems of equations with 2 variables,
regardless the number of equations
• For 3 variables, graphical description of
the three solution possibilities requires
the use of planes
• For more than 3 variables?
 Solution possibilities
• A system of linear equations having a
unique solution is a consistent system of
equation
• A system of linear equations not having a
unique solution is an inconsistent system of
equation
• A system of linear equations having an
unlimited number of solutions is a
dependent system of equation, as any
solution of one equation also is a solution of
the others
 Exactly, Overconstrained, and
Underconstrained Systems of
Eq
• Exactly constrained systems of equation
are systems which have an equal number
of equations and unknowns (variables)
• Overconstrained systems of equation are
systems which have number of equations
exceeds unknowns (variables)
• Underconstrained systems of equation are
systems which have number of equations
less than unknowns (variables)
 Exactly, Overconstrained, and
Underconstrained Systems of
Eq
• Abbreviated way for describing the number of
equations and variables in the system: A
system with three equations and three
variables is referred to as being 3 X 3
• A system with four equations and two
variables is referred to as being 4 X 2
• The abbreviation condenses the expression
“number of equations” by “number of
variables”
Example: market
equilibrium
Px
S

Pe

X
Qe
Partial Equilibrium Analysis
QDx=a - bPx
QSx=-c + dPx
QDx=QSx QDx-QSx=0
a + c = bPx + dPx
a + c = (b + d) Px
a + c = (b + d) Pe
Pe= (a + c)/(b + d)
 Break Even Analysis
• Total Revenue = Product Price X
Quantity Sold
• Total Cost = (Total) Fixed Cost + (Total)
Variable Costs
– (Total) variable costs depends on quantity
produced
• Profit/Loss = TR – TC
• Break Even  TR – TC = 0 or TR =
TC
Break Even Analysis

TC = TR
FC + VC.Q = P.Q
FC = P.Q – VC.Q
FC = Q (P – VC)
Q = FC / (P – VC)
 The Elimination Method
• The principle also permits for formation
of linear combinations of equations
• Example:
Eq 1 : 2X + Y = 12
Eq 2 : 3X – 2Y = 5
• A linear combination of two equations
above can be formed by multiplying eq 1
by 2 and then adding the product to eq 2:
 The Elimination Method
• Eq 1 : 2X + Y = 12 | X 2
Eq 2 : 3X – 2Y = 5
then
• 2Eq 1 : 4X + 2Y = 24
Eq 2 : 3X – 2Y = 5 +
Eq 3 : 7X = 29
The new equation, eq 3, is a linear
combination of the 2 equations
 The Elimination Method
• Afterwards, “backward substitution” of
known values into successively larger
equations will provide a solution for the
entire system
• The linear combination: 7X = 29
X=29/7
substitution of 29/7 to eq 1 leads to the
value of Y = 26/7
 3 X 3 System
• Solve the following system of three equations
in the three variables X, Y, Z!
Eq 1 : 2X + 3Y + Z = 6
Eq 2 : X + 4Y + 3Z = 12
Eq 3 : 3X + Y + 2Z = 10
• For a 3X3 system, the elimination method
requires selecting two different pairs of
equations and eliminating the same variables
for each pairs
• This process results in a 2X2 system which
is then solved as follows
 3 X 3 System
Eliminate Z from the equation
3.Eq 1 : 6X + 9Y + 3Z = 18
Eq 2 : X + 4Y + 3Z = 12-
Eq 4 : 5X + 5Y = 6
• Then, eq 1 and eq 3 is paired
2.Eq 1 : 4X + 6Y + 2Z = 12
Eq 3 : 3X + Y + 2Z = 10-
Eq 5 : X + 5Y = 2
 3 X 3 System
From equation 4 and 5:
Eq 4 : 5X + 5Y = 6
Eq 5 : X + 5Y = 2-
Eq 5 : 4X = 4
Or X = 1
then, substitute X=1 into eq 4 or 5, yields Y =
0.2
Finally, substitution of X=1 and Y=0.2 into
equation 1 or 2 or 3 yields Z = 3.4
 Applications
• Eq.1: 3X + 4Y + Z = 380
• Eq.2: 2X + 4Y + 2Z = 400
• Eq.3: 6X + 2Y + 2Z = 520

• Eq.1-Eq2: X – Z = –20 (Eq. 4)

• 2. Eq3 : 12X + 4Y + 4Z = 1040

• Eq2 : 2X + 4Y + 2Z = 400-
• Eq5 : 10X + 2Z = 640
 Applications
• Thus, the system of 2 equations and 2
unknowns with Y eliminated is as follows:
• Eq4 : X – Z = –20
• Eq5 : 10X + 2Z = 640

• 2Eq4 : 2X – 2Z = –40
• Eq5 : 10X + 2Z = 640+
• Eq 6 : 12X = 600
• X = 50