Solve Systems of

Equation
A system of equations is a set of two or more
equations that have variables in common.

The common variables relate to similar quantities.

You can think of an equation as a condition
imposed on one or more variables, and a system as
several conditions imposed simultaneously.

Remember, when solving systems of equations, you

are looking for a solution that makes each
equation true.
In earlier chapters, you learned to solve an equation
for a specified variable, graph the equation, and find
how pairs of lines represented by linear equations in
two variables are related.

When solving a system of equations, you look for a solution

that makes each equation true. There are several
strategies you can use. To begin with we will be using
tables and graphs. Let’s look at the following example
and work through the problem step-by-step to find a
solution.
 Example 1

Edna leaves the trailhead at dawn to hike 12 miles

toward the lake, where her friend Maria is camping. At
the same time, Maria starts her hike toward the trailhead.
Edna is walking uphill so she averages only 1.5 mi/hr,
while Maria averages 2.5 mi/hr walking downhill.
When and where will they meet?
Here’s what we need to complete to solve this example.

 Define variables for time (x) and for distance (y) from
the trailhead.
 Write a system of two equations to model this situation.
 Solve this system by creating a table and finding values
for the variables that make both equations true. Then
locate this solution on a graph.
 Check your solution and explain its real-world
meaning.
 Define the variables

Let x represent the time in

hours. Both women hike the
same amount of time. Let y
represent the distance in miles
from the trailhead. When Edna
and Maria meet they will both
be the same distance from the
trailhead, although they will
have hiked different distances.
 Write equations

The system of equations that models this situation is

grouped in a brace.

Edna starts at the trailhead so she increases her distance

from it as she hikes 1.5 mi/hr for x hours. Maria starts 12
miles from the trailhead and reduces her distance from it as
she hikes 2.5 mi/hr for x hours.

 y  1. 5 x

 y  12  2.5 x
Create a table from the equations. Fill in the times and
calculate each distance. The table shows the x-value that gives
equal y-values for both equations. When x = 3, both y-values
are 4.5. So the solution is the ordered pair (3, 4.5). We say
these values “satisfy” both equations.
Hiking Times and Distances

X y = 1.5x y = 12 – 2.5x
0 0 12
1 1.5 9.5
2 3 7
3 4.5 4.5
4 6 2
5 7.5 -0.5
Let’s create the data on your graphing calculator. Enter the
equations in y = on your calculator and create a table.
Do both tables model this situation?
What do you notice about y when x increases in each
equation?
Why are the values different?

Hiking Times and Distances

X y = 1.5x y = 12 – 2.5x
0 0 12
1 1.5 9.5
2 3 7
3 4.5 4.5
4 6 2
5 7.5 -0.5
On the graph this solution is the point where the two lines
intersect. You can use trace function or calculate function on
your calculator to approximate the coordinates of the solution
point, though sometimes you’ll get an exact answer as in our
example here.
Solving Systems
of Equations
Graphing Method
A system of linear equations is a set of two or more
equations with the same variable. 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!

The process is very easy. Simply graph the two lines and
look for the point where they intersect (cross).

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 2x + 2y = 6
4x = 6y + 12 2y = -2x + 6
4x – 12 = 6y 2 2 2
6y = 4x – 12 y = -x + 3
6 6 6
slope = -1/1
y = 2/3x – 2
y-intercept = 3
slope = 2/3
y-intercept = -2
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.
Use a graph to solve the system of equations below.
Graph both equations on the same coordinate plane.
Graph x + y = 5 using the intercepts: (5, 0) and (0, 5)
Graph y = 2x – 1 using the slope-intercept method.

x  y  5

 y  2x 1
Locate the point where the lines intersect. From the graph,
the solution appears to (2, 3).
Check to be sure that (2, 3) is the solution, substitute 2 for
x and 3 for y into each equation.
x+y=5 y = 2x – 1
2+3=5 3 = 2(2) - 1
Use a graph to solve each system of equations. If the system
has no solution, write none.

 y  x 1  y  14 x  4
 
y  5  x  y   2 x2
1

y  x  5  2 x  y  1
 
y  x 1  2 x  y  2
y  x  5 x  y  3
 
y  x  3 y  x  7
Summary of Solutions of
Systems of Linear Equations
y – 2x = 7
The lines The lines are
intersect so parallel so there Y = 2x + 3
there is one are no solutions.
solution.
x + 2y = 7
x = y + 4

The lines are

the same so
there are
-3x = 5 – y infinitely many
solutions.
2y = 6x + 10
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.
Take for example the system of equations:
3x + 2y = 12
x–y=3
x = 3/8 and y = 15/4
Solving Systems
of Equations
Algebraically
Substitution Method
The substitution method is
used to eliminate one of the
variables by replacement
when solving a system of
equations.

Think of it as “grabbing” what

one variable equals from one
equation and “plugging” it into
the other equation.
Solve this system of equations using the substitution
method.

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?
The Substitution Method
 Step 1 Solve one equation for x (or y).
 Step 2 Substitute the expression from Step 1 into the
other equation.
 Step 3 Solve for y (or x).
 Step 4 Take the value of y (or x) found in Step 3 and
substitute it into one of the original equations. Then solve
for the other variable.
 Step 5 The ordered pair of values from Steps 3 and 4 is
the solution. If the system has no solution, a
contradictory statement will result in either Step 3 or 4.
Use the substitution method to solve each system of
equations. Check your answers.

 y  5 x  1  2 x  3 y  1
 
 y  4  y  3 x  1
y  x  4 2 x  3 y  6
 
2 x  y  5  y  2x  5
2 x  y  5  15 x  3  y
 
x  2 y  4  3 x  y  5
 Real-world problems

April sold 75 tickets to a school play and collected a total of $495.

If the adult tickets cost $8 each and child tickets cost $5 each,
how many adult tickets and how many child tickets did she sell?

Solution: Let a represent the adult tickets and c represent the

child tickets.

Individual tickets sold equaled 75, so a + c = 75

All total April sold $495 in tickets, since adult tickets are $8 and child tickets
are $5, so 8a + 5c = 495.

System of Equations
a + c = 75
8a + 5c == 495
 Solution

a + c = 75
8a + 5c = 495
a = 75 – c
8(75 – c) + 5c = 495
600 – 8c + 5c = 495
600 - 3c = 495
105 = 3c
35 = c

a + c = 75
a + 35 = 75
a = 40
There were 40 adult tickets and 35 child tickets sold. 40 +
35 = 75
8(40) + 5(35) = 495
320 + 175 = 495
Write a system of equations
and solve.

At a baseball game, Jose

bought five hot dogs and
three sodas for $17. At the
same time, Allison bought
two hot dogs and four
sodas for $11. Find the
cost of one hot dog and one
soda.
Solving Systems
of Equations
Elimination method
 Elimination Method

You can use the Addition and Subtraction Properties of

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

Step 1 If you add the two equations

together, the +6y and -6y
5x – 6y = -32 cancel each other out
because of the Property of
Additive Inverse
3x + 6y = 48
Eliminate y because the sum of the coefficients of y is zero
5x – 6y = -32
3x + 6y = 48 Addition Property of Equality
8x + 0 = 16 Solve for x
x = 2
 Elimination Method

Step 2

Solve for the eliminated variable y using either of the

original equations.

3x + 6y = 48 Choose the 2nd equation

3(2) + 6y = 48 Substitute 2 for x

6 + 6y = 48 Simplify. Then solve for y.

6y = 42
y = 7
 Elimination Method

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 True

Remember, the order pair (2, 7) must make both equations

true.
 Elimination Method

Suppose your community center sells a total of 292

tickets for a basketball game. An adult ticket cost
$3. A student ticket cost $1. The sponsors collected
$470 in ticket sales. Write and solve a system to
find the number of each type of ticket sold.
 Elimination Method

Let a = number of adult tickets

Let s = number of student tickets

total number of ticket total number of sales

a + s = 292 3a + 1s = 470

Solve by elimination (get rid of s) because the difference of

the coefficients of s is zero.

a + s = 292
3a + s = 470 This is the number
That means you must subtract -2a + 0 = -178 of adult tickets
sold.
the two equations so,
-3a – a = -470 is what you a = 89
must subtract.

Next Step
 Elimination Method

Solve for the eliminated variable using either of the

original equations.

This is the a + s = 292

number of
student tickets 89 + s = 292
sold.
s = 203

There were 89 adult tickets sold and 203 student tickets

sold.

Is the solution reasonable? The total number of tickets is 89 + 203 =

292. The total sales is $3(89) + $1(203) = $470. The solution is
correct.
 Elimination Method

If you have noticed in the last few examples that to

eliminate a variable its coefficients must have a sum or
difference of zero.

Sometime you may need to multiply one or both of the equations by

a nonzero number first so that you can then add or subtract the
equations to eliminate one of the variables.
We can add these two equations We can add these two
together to eliminate the y variable. equations together to
eliminate the x variable.
2x + 5y = 17 7x + 2y = 10 2x + 5y = -22
6x – 5y = -19 -7x + y = -16 10x + 3y = 22

If you notice the systems of equations above, two of

them have something in common. The third doesn’t.

What are we going to do with these

equations, can’t eliminate a variable
the way they are written?
 Elimination Method
Multiplying One
Equation
Be careful when you
Solve by Elimination subtract. All the signs
in the equation that is
being subtracted
2x + 5y = -22 change.
-10x – 3y = -22
10x + 3y = 22
To prepare for Subtract the equations to
Start with the eliminating x, multiply eliminate x.
given system. the first equation by 5.
Step 1
2x + 5y = -22 5(2x + 5y = -22) 10x + 25y = -110
10x + 3y = 22 10x + 3y = 22 -(10x + 3y = 22)
0 + 22y = -132
Ask:
Is one coefficient
y = -6
a factor of the
other coefficient
for the same
variable? NEXT
 Elimination Method

Step 2

Solve for the eliminated variable using either of the

original equations.

2x + 5y = -22 Choose the first equation.

2x +5(-6) = -22 Substitute -6 for y.

2x – 30 = -22 Solve for x.

2x = 8
x=4

The solution is (4, -6).

 Elimination Method-Practice

Solve by elimination.
Ask:
Is one coefficient
-2x + 5y = -32 a factor of the
other coefficient
7x – 5y = 17 for the same
variable?

3x – 10y = -25
4x + 40y = 20

2x – 3y = 61
2x + y = -7
 Elimination Method
Multiplying Both
Equations

To eliminate a variable, you may need to multiply

both equations in a system by a nonzero number.
Multiply each equation by values such that when
you write equivalent equations, you can then add
or subtract to eliminate a variable.

In these two equations you

cannot use graphing or 4x + 2y = 14
substitution very easily.
However ever if we multiply 7x + 3y = -8 Find the least common
the first equation by 3 and
the second by 2, we can multiple LCM of the
eliminate the y variable. coefficients of one
variable, since working
with smaller numbers
4 x 7 = 28 tends to reduce the
2x3=6 likelihood of errors.

NEXT
 Elimination Method
Add the equations to
eliminate y.

4X + 2Y = 14 3(4X + 2Y = 14) 12X + 6Y = 42

7X – 3Y = - 8 2(7X – 3Y = -8) 14X – 6Y = -16
26X + 0 = 26
To prepare to eliminate y, 26X = 26
Start with the given multiply the first equation by 3
system. and the second equation by 2. X = 1

Solve for the eliminated variable y using either of the original

equations.

4x + 2y = 14
4(1) + 2y = 14
4 + 2y = 14
2y = 10
y = 5 The solution is (1, 5).
 Practice
Practice and Problem
Solving

Solve by elimination:
1) 2x + 5y = 17 2) 7x + 2y = 10
6x + 5y = -9 -7x + y = -16

3) 2x – 3y = 61 4) 24x + 2y = 52
You choose what
2x + y = -7 method you what 6x – 3y = -36
to use to solve
question 5 thru
10.
5) y = 2x 6) 9x + 5y = 34
y=x–1 8x – 2y = -2

Word Problems
 Practice (con’t)

7) The sum of two numbers is 20. Their difference is 4.

Write and solve a system of equations.

8) Your school sold 456 tickets for a school play. An adult

ticket cost $3.50. A student ticket cost $1. Total ticket sales
equaled $1131. Let a = adult tickets sold, and s = student
tickets sold. How many tickets of each were sold?

9) Suppose the band sells cans of popcorn for $5 each and

mixed nuts for $8 each. The band sells a total of 240 cans
and makes a total of $1614. Find the number of cans of
each sold.
One more problem,
my favorite.
 Practice (con’t)

10) A farmer raises chicken and cows. He has a total

of 34 animals in his barnyard. His six-year son came
in one day all excited saying, “Daddy, daddy, did you
know all your animals have a total of 110 legs.”
Write a system of equations to represent this situation.
How many chickens and how many cows does the
farmer have?
 Helpful Hints

When you solve systems using elimination, plan a

strategy. Here are a few hints to help you decide how
to eliminate a variable.
Answer these questions.
Can I eliminate a variable by
adding or subtracting the Do It.
given equations? YES
Or
NO Can I multiply one of
the equations by a
number, and then
add or subtract the
equations?
YES
or
Do It.
NO

Multiply both equations

by different numbers.
then add or subtract the
equations

When to use which?
Graphing: Used to estimate the
solution, since graphing usually
does not give an exact solution.
Y = 2x - 3
y=x-1
Substitution: If one of the
variables in either equation has a
coefficient of 1 or –1.
3y + 2x = 4
-6x + y = -7
Elimination Using Addition: If one
of the variables has opposite
coefficients in the two equations.
5x – 6y = -32
3x + 6y = 48
Summary
Elimination Using Subtraction: If
one of the variables has the same
coefficient in the two equations.
2x + 3y = 11
2x + 9y = 1
Elimination Using Multiplication: If
none of the coefficients are 1 or –1
and neither of the variables can be
eliminated by simply adding and
subtracting the equations.
5(2x + 5y = -22)
10x + 3y = 22
3(4x + 2y = 14)
2(7x = 3y = -8)