SOLVING SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS

Life performance Outcome:

LPO2: Courageous, Resourceful EXPLORERS & PROBLEM SOLVERS
Essential Performance Outcome:
EPO2: Describe and explain the new critical thinking and problem-solving abilities they have developed as the
result of self-initiated learning experiences and projects;
Intended Learning Outcome:
● solve a system of linear equations in two variables by (a) graphing; (b) substitution; (c) elimination;
● solve problems involving systems of linear equations in two variables

Three Methods Solving Linear Equations

1. THE GRAPHING METHOD
In graphing systems of linear equation, you can use any method in graphing.
● Table of Value ● Slope and y-intercept
● Intercept Method Method

1. Graph each equation.

a. If the lines intersect at a single point, then the coordinates of that point form the solution.
b. If the lines are parallel, then there is no solution.
c. If the lines are identical, then there is an infinite number of solutions.
2. Check the solution in both equations.

Example:
1. {4x + y =− 8 x − y =− 2

Applying Slope and y-intercept Method.

1. Rewrite both equation to slope-intercept form
{y =− 4x − 8 y = x + 2

2. Get the slope and the y-intercept

E 1 : y =− 4x − 8
m =− 4; (0,− 8)

E2 : y = x + 2
m = 1; (0, 2)

3. Graph each equation.

Final Answer: ∴T he solution is (− 2, 0)

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2. {2x + y = 2 6x − 3y = 6

Applying Slope and y-intercept Method.

1. Rewrite both equation to slope-intercept form
{y =− 2x + 2 y = 2x − 2

2. Get the slope and the y-intercept

E 1 : y =− 2x + 2
m =− 2; (0, 2)

E 2 : y = 2x − 2
m = 2; (0,− 2)

3. Graph each equation.

Final Answer: ∴T he solution is (1, 0)

2
3. {y =− 3x 4x − 3y = 18

Applying Slope and y-intercept Method.

1. Rewrite both equation to slope-intercept form
{y =− 32 x y = 34 x − 6

2. Get the slope and the y-intercept

E 1 : y =− 32 x
m =− 32 ; (0, 0)

E 2 : y = 34 x − 6
m = 34 ; (0,− 6)

3. Graph each equation.

Final Answer: ∴T he solution is (3,− 2)

Practice Exercise: ​Solve each of the following linear systems by graphing.
1.) {7x − y =− 6 3x + y = 2

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2.) {3x = 3y + 12 x + y = 0

3.) {y = 52 x + 4 5x − 2y = 4

4.) {2y = 3x + 10 x − y = 5

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5.) {2x + 5y = 10 3x − 15 = 3y

The graphical method of solving system of equations is not always a convenient method to use for some reasons:
● The coordinates may involve large numbers or fractions that are difficult to plot,
● The non-integer solution cannot be read accurately
● It takes time to graph.

2. THE SUBSTITUTION METHOD

In this method, transitive property is applied to solve the systems of equation.

1. Solve ​one​ of the equations for ​one​ of the variables.

2. Substitute the expression found in step 1 into the other equation.
3. Now solve for the remaining variable.
4. Substitute the value from step 2 into the equation written in step 1, and
5. Solve for the remaining variable.

Example:
a.
{x + y = 5 Eq.1 y = 3 + x Eq.2
The second equation is already solved for y.
Step 1: Solve an equation for one variable.
y =3+x
Step 2: Substitute the expression 3 + x for y in the first x+y =5
equation to get an equation in terms of x . x + (3 + x) = 5
x + (3 + x) = 5
2x + 3 = 5
2x + 3 − 3 = 5 − 3
Step 3: Solve the equation.
2x = 2
2x 2
2 = 2
x=1

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 y =3+x
Step 4: Substitute the value of x in the second equation.
y =3+1
Then solve for y .
y=4
(1, 4)
x+y =5
(1) + (4) = 5
5=5
Step 5: Check your solution.
y =3+x
(4) = 3 + (1)
4=4
Final Answer (1, 4)

b.)
{x + y = 9 Eq.1 3x + 2y = 22 Eq.2
x+y =9
Step 1: Solve an equation for one variable.
x=9−y
Step 2: Substitute the expression 9 − y for x in the first 3x + 2y = 22
equation to get an equation in terms of y . 3 (9 − y ) + 2y = 22
3 (9 − y ) + 2y = 22
27 − 3y + 2y = 22
27 − y = 22
Step 3: Solve the equation. − y = 22 − 27
− y =− 5
−y −5
−1 = −1
y=5
x=9−y
Step 4: Substitute the value of y in the first equation.
x = 9 − (5)
Then solve for x .
x=4
(4, 5)
x+y =9
(4) + (5) = 9
9=9
Step 5: Check your solution.
3x + 2y = 22
3 (4) + 2 (5) = 22
12 + 10 = 22
22 = 22
Final Answer (4, 5)

c.
{x + y = 10 Eq.1 x = 4y Eq.2
The second equation is already solved for y.
Step 1: Solve an equation for one variable.
x = 4y
Step 2: Substitute the expression 4y for x in the first x + y = 10
equation to get an equation in terms of y . (4y) + y = 10
(4y) + y = 10
5y = 10
Step 3: Solve the equation. 5y 10
5 = 5
y=2
x = 4y
Step 4: Substitute the value of y in the first equation.
x = 4(2)
Then solve for x .
x=8
Step 5: Check your solution. (8, 2)

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 x + y = 10
(8) + (2) = 10
10 = 10

x = 4y
8 = 4(2)
8=8
Final Answer (8, 2)

d.
{x = 5y − 2 Eq.1 x − 4y = 1 Eq.2
The second equation is already solved for y.
Step 1: Solve an equation for one variable.
x = 5y − 2
Step 2: Substitute the expression 4y for x in the first x − 4y = 1
equation to get an equation in terms of y . (5y − 2) − 4y = 1
(5y − 2) − 4y = 1
Step 3: Solve the equation. y−2=1
y=3
x = 5y − 2
Step 4: Substitute the value of y in the first equation. x = 5 (3) − 2
Then solve for x . x = 15 − 2
x = 13
(13, 3)
x = 5y − 2
13 = 5 (3) − 2
13 = 15 − 2
13 = 13
Step 5: Check your solution.
x − 4y = 1
(13) − 4 (3) = 1
13 − 12 = 1
1=1
Final Answer (13, 3)

Practice Exercise:​ Solve the following systems using substitution method.

1.) {x − y = 6 y = 2x 2.) {2x + 2y = 2 4x − y = 4

3.) {3x + 7y = 13 x = 2y 4.) {x + 5y =− 8 x = 3y

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5.) {x − 3y = 4y y = 7 − 2x 6.) {3x − y = 5 2x + y =− 10

7.) {x − 3y = 7 4x + y = 6 8.) {3x + 2y = 9 − 2x + y = 4

y
9.) {3x − 4y =− 1 2x + 3 = 1
5 10.) {2x − 5y = 5 31 x + 2y = 7

3.THE ELIMINATION METHOD

This method suggests eliminating one variable to solve for the other variable. To solve this method, you must apply
addition property or multiplication property of equality.

1. Rewrite each equation in standard form, eliminating fraction coefficients.

2. If necessary, multiply one or both equations by a number so that the coefficients of a chosen variable are
opposites.
3. Add/Subtract the equations.
4. Find the value of one variable by solving equation from step 3.
5. Find the value of the second variable by substituting the value found in step 4 into either original equation.
6. Check the proposed solution in the original equations.

Example:
a.
{2x + y = 7 5x − y = 14
Step 1: Using the elimination method, we note that the 2x + y = 7
coefficients of y are opposites. Thus, we can add the terms + 5x − y = 14
to eliminate one variable. 7x = 21
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 7x = 21
7x 21
Step 2: solve for x 7 = 7
x=3
2x + y = 7
2 (3) + y = 7
Step 3: To solve for y, substitute the value of x in either of
6+y =7
the original equation.
y =7−6
y=1
2x + y = 7
2 (3) + 1 = 7
6+1=7
Step 4: Check whether (3, 1) is a solution.
5x − y = 14
5 (3) − (1) = 14
15 − 1 = 14
14 = 14
Final Answer: (3, 1)

b.
{4x − y = 14 x − y = 12
4x − y = 14
Step 1: Using the elimination method, we note that the
− (x − y = 12)
coefficients of y are the same. Thus, we can subtract the
3x = 2
terms to eliminate one variable.

3x = 2
3x 2
Step 2: solve for x 3 = 3
x = 32
( 32 ) − y = 12
− y = 12 − 32
Step 3: To solve for y, substitute the value of x in either
− y = 36−2 3
of the original equation.
− y = 34 3
y =− 343
4x − y = 14
4 ( 32 ) − (− 343 ) = 14
8 34
3 + 3 = 14
42
3 = 1 4
14 = 14
Step 4: Check whether ( 32 ,− 343 ) is a solution.
x − y = 12
( 2
3 ) − (− 343 ) = 12
2 34
3 + 3 = 12
36
3 = 12
12 = 12

Final Answer: ( 32 , − 34
3 )
c.
{4x − 3y =− 4 3x + 2y = 14
2 (4x − 3y) = (− 4) (2)
Step 1: To eliminate y , multiply first equation by 2 and 3 (3x + 2y) = (14) (3)
multiply the second equation by 3 so that the coefficients
of a chosen variable are opposites. 8x − 6y =− 8
9x + 6y = 42
8x − 6y =− 8
Step 2: Add equations to eliminate y + 9x + 6y = 42
17x = 34
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 17x = 34
17x 34
Step 3: Solve for x 17 = 17
x=2
3 (2) + 2y = 14
6 + 2y = 14
Step 4: To solve for y, substitute the value of x in either 2y = 14 − 6
of the original equation. 2y = 8
2y 8
2 = 2
y=4
4x − 3y =− 4
4 (2) − 3 (4) =− 4
8 − 12 =− 4
− 4 =− 4
Step 5: Check whether (2, 4) is a solution.
3x + 2y = 14
3 (2) + 2 (4) = 14
6 + 8 = 14
14 = 14
Final Answer: (2, 4)

Practice Exercise:​ Solve each system of equations by elimination method.

1.) {x + y = 10 x − y =− 6 2.) {5x − 3y =− 20 − 3x + 6y = 12

3.) {x − y = 2 x + y =− 1 4.) {5x − 2y =− 16 2x + y = 8

5.) {4x − 3y =− 7 2x + 3y = 19 6.) {4x − 5y =− 23 y + 2x = 13

7.) {x − 4y = 0 x + 3y = 7 8.) {4 (x − 2y) = 8 2 (x + 4y) =− 8

9.) { x+y
3 +
y−x
2 = 42 2x − y−x
9 =5 10.) {5x − 21 y =− 1 10x − 41 y =− 1

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