System of Linear

Equations
Lesson 3
 Systems of Linear Equations
 is a group of linear equations that can either have one solution, no
solution or infinitely many solutions.

Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Graphing

A system of linear equations shows the relationship between two or
more lines. The lines in each item form a system of linear equations; and
the point of intersection is called solution set of the system.
This method of identifying the type of system and its number of
solutions by examining the numerical coefficients is summarized in the
given table:
Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables
a1x + b1y = c1
a2x + b2y = c2

Ratios of Numerical ≠
Coefficients
Graph Intersecting Parallel Lines Coinciding Lines
Lines (one line)
Number of Solutions Only one None Infinitely many
Equations Independent independent dependent
System Consistent inconsistent consistent
 There are three possible cases given that two lines are on the same coordinate
plane.
Case 1:
The lines intersect at one point or there is one solution. This kind of
system is consistent and the equations are independent.
Example: 2x – y = -1
3x + 2y =9 (1, 3)
3x + 2y = 9
solution: 2x – y = -1 2x – y = -1 3x + 2y = 9
Y=-x+
y = 2x + 1 Slope: -
slope: 2 y- intercept:
y- intercept: 1
The lines are intersecting at ( 1, 3). Therefore, this
kind of system is consistent independent, and has one
unique solution.
 There are three possible cases given that two lines are on the same
coordinate plane.
Case 2:
There is no point of intersection, thus there is no solution. This kind of
system in inconsistent and the equations are independent.
Example: 3x – 3y = -6
4x – 4y = -4
solution: 3x – 3y = -6 3x – 3y = 6
- 3y = -3x – 6 4x – 4y = 4
4x – 4y = -4
-4y = -4x – 4
y=x+2
slope: 1 y= x + 1
slope: 1
y- intercept : 2 The lines do not intersect. Therefore,
y- intercept: 1
this kind of system is inconsistent,
independent and without solution.
 There are three possible cases given that two lines are on the same coordinate
plane.
Case 3:
The two lines are overlapping or coinciding and there are infinitely many
solutions. This kind of system is consistent and the equations are
dependent.
Example : x – 3y = -4 3x – 9y = -12
-9y = -3x – 12
3x – 9y = -12 x – 3y = -4 3x – 9y = -12
solution: x – 3y = -4 y=
-3y = -x – 4 slope:
= - y-intercept:
y= x+
slope:
y- intercept: There is a coinciding line. Therefore, this
system is consistent and dependent, and with
infinitely many solutions.
 Determining the Number of Solutions of a System without Graphing
Let us first make sure that the systems are written in standard form
ax + by = c.
Observe that the numerical coefficients will line up respectively
for x, y and the constants. Determine the ratio of the numerical
coefficients that are associated with the same variable.
Let us inspect the first system,
Write down the aligned numerical coefficients into fraction form: ,
and .
• For system that has one solution, the ratio of the x terms is not
equal to the ratio of the y terms.
• When a system has no solution, the ratios of the x and y terms are
equivalent, but not with the ratio of the constant terms.
• Lastly, in a system with the infinitely many solutions, the ratios of
the x-terms, y terms and constant terms are equal to each other.

In determining the solutions of a system of linear equations, we

can also solve systems without graphing through algebraic
processes.
Equation (i): 20x – y = -20
Equation (ii): 25x – y = -5
As you can see, the variable y in the equations has a coefficient of -1. This means
that we can employ the substitution method in solving this system.
The substitution method is mainly done by substituting the equivalent
expression of one variable derived from one equation into the same variable of other
equation. Substitute x in equation i:
Let’s solve for y in equation i: x=3
y = 20x + 20
20x – y = -20 Substitute y in equation ii: y = 20(3) + 20
Y = 20x + 20 25x – y = -5 y = 80
25x – (20x + 20) = -5
25x – 20x – 20 = -5 Checking:
5x = 15 20x – y = -20 25x – y =-5
X=3 20(3) – 80 = -20 25(3) – 80 = -5
60 – 80 = -20 75 – 80 = -5
-20 = -20 -5 = -5
 Another method ins solving systems of linear equations is the elimination
method. To eliminate the chosen variable, the numerical coefficients of its terms
should be in their additive inverses. If the coefficients are not yet in their additive
inverses, make use of the concept of least common multiple and multiplication
property of equality.
Let’s try solving the previous example using elimination method.
Equation (i): 20x – y = -20
Equation (ii): 25x – y = -5
[20x – y = -20](-5) + + 5y = 100
- 100x
[25x – y = -5](4) 100x – 4y = -20
y = 80
Substitute y to i Checking: 5x – y = -5
20x – y -20 25(3) – 80 = -5
20x – y = -20
20(30) – 80 = -20 -5 = -5
20x - 80 = -20 -20 = -20
20x = 60
x = 30 We conclude that the system 20x –
y = -20 and 25 – y = -5 has he
solution (3, 80).
 Solving Systems of Linear Equations through Cramer’s Rule
• Cramer’s Rule a method used to solve systems of linear equations that
uses matrices formed by the coefficients of a system.
• A matrix is a collection of numbers arranged in rows and columns.
Cramer’s Rule starts with creating a matrix composed of the coefficients
of the system of linear equations.
• In linear algebra, the determinant is a value associated with a
square matrix. It can be computed from the entries of the
matrix by a specific arithmetic expression, shown below:
For a 2×2 matrix 
 This determinantis defined to be ad− bc.
 Rules for a 2×2 Matrix:
Consider the linear system: =
Assume the determinant is non-zero. Then, x and y can be found by Cramer’s rule:
x= =
Let us illustrate Cramer’s Rule using the previous example:
And:
y= =
x= = = 3

y = = = = 80

Then, the solution to the system 20x – y = -20 and 25x – y = -5

is (3, 80).
 Applications of Systems of Linear Equations

Let us try to apply the systems of linear equations in real-life situation

examples.
Example 1:
Two of Tiamy’s itineraries for a 2- week vacation is a 1-week stay in both Cebu
and Bohol. He has a total budget in mind that amounts to ₱2, 400. However, he
needs to include in his budget the costs for staying in the two locations. In Cebu, it
will cost him ₱300 per day. In order to meet this budget, how many days should
Tiamy spend in each location?
Let x = number of days to spend in Cebu
y = number of days to spend in Bohol
 Applications of Systems of Linear Equations

Solution: (i) x + y = 7
(ii) 400x + 300y = 2 400 Checking:
x+y=7
(i) [x + y = 7] (-300)
3+4=7
-300x – 300y = -2 100 7=7
(i) -300x – 300y = -2 100
+
(ii) 400x + 300y = 2 400 300x + 400y = 2 400
300(3) + 400(4) = 2 400
100x = 300
900 + 1 600 = 2 400
x=3 x+y=7 2 400 = 2 400
3+y=7
y =4 Thus, Tiamy will have to spend 3
days in Cebu and 4 days in Bohol.
 Applications of Systems of Linear Equations

Example 2:
In 2016- 2017 NBA season, Stephen Curry averaged 22 points per game
excluding free throws. This almost translates to successfully making 9 field goals
attempts inclusive of the 2-points and 3-points field goals. In this analysis, how
many of each field goal type does Curry successfully make?
Let x = number of 2- points made
y = number of 3-points made
 Applications of Systems of Linear Equations
Solution: (i) x + y = 9 Checking:
x+y=9
(ii) 2x + 3y = 22 4+5=9
x+y=9 9=9
x = -y + 9
2x + 3y = 22
2x + 3y + 22 2(3) + 3( 5) = 22
2(-y + 9) + 3y = 22 6 + 15 = 22
22 = 22
-2y + 18 + 3y = 22
x = -y + 9
-2y + 3y = 22 – 18 Thus, Stephen Curry successfully
x = -4 + 9
y=4 x =5 made four 2-points and five 3-
points.
 Applications of Systems of Linear Equations
Example 3:
Solve the system - = and - =
Let m =
n= (10)
solution: (i) m – 2n = 10m – 20n = 1
(ii) 6m – 14n =
(5)
30m – 70n = 1
 Applications of Systems of Linear Equations
10m – 20n = 1 ==
30 m – 70n = 1
m = = m = = = m= Substitute:
n = = n = = = n=
 Applications of Systems of Linear Equations
10m – 20n = 1 ==
30 m – 70n = 1
m = = m = = = m= Substitute:
n = = n = = = n=

= =
x=2 y=5