Systems Lesson

Michael Le, Kenton Esch, Benjamin Lee, Benjamin Burlingame

2x2 Systems
How to solve with substitution
Here is our equation:
−4x−2y = −12
4x+8y = −24

Like with every algebraic equation, you must get the x or y variable alone. For this
example, we will just get the y variable on its own.

-4x-2y = -12
-2y = -12+4x add x to both sides
y = 6-2x divide both sides by -2
Now we plug in y into the other equation. So we would plug in y = 6-2x into the y
value of 4x+8y = −24.

4x+8(6-2x) = -24 Plug in the y

4x+48-16x = -24 Distribute the 8 into the parenthesis.
-12x = -72 Simplify the equation
x=6 Divide both sides by -12

We’re almost there! Just plug in the x value into our previously solved equation:

y = 6-2x
y = 6-2(6)
y = -6

So our final solution would be (6, -6)

How to solve with elimination
Here is our equation:
4x + 8y = 20
−4x + 2y = −30

We need to get one of the variables the same coefficient. However in this
example, the x’s already have the same coefficient. If it was not, you would
multiply one, or both of the equations to get the same coefficient.

4x + 8y = 20 We are adding because one of the x’s are positive and one is
+(−4x + 2y = −30) negative. If it was same signs, we would subtract.
------------------------
10y = -10
y = -1 Divide both sides by 10

Now that we have y, plug it in into an equation and solve.

4x + 8y = 20
4x + 8(-1) = 20 Substitute y in
4x = 28 Add -8 on both sides
x=7 Divide both sides by 4

Our final answer is (7, -1)

How to solve by graphing
Here is our equation:
x − y = 11
2x + y = 19

Put it into a form that is easy for you to graph. I will put it in slope intercept form.
x - y = 11
-y = -x + 11 Subtract x on both sides
y = x - 11 Divide by -1 on both sides

2x + y = 19
y = -2x + 19 Subtract 2x on both sides

Graph it! (Solution is (10, -1). The intersection is the answer)

How to solve with matrices
Here is our equation:
−2x + 5y = 6
5x + 2y = 7

Now before you plug it into the calculator, you need to put the answers in standard
form (alphabetical order). In this case, it already is. Now you would draw 2
brackets: [ ]
Depending on how many equations you have, the size of the graph will change. In
this case, it is a 2x3 graph, here’s why
You can see that the coefficients on the equation correspond to those on the
graph:

−2x + 5y = 6
5x + 2y = 7

Now we would plug this into the calculator and it solves it for us!
Steps to solve on your TI-84 CE:
2nd -> x^(-1) -> Edit -> Enter (Pick any letter you want, I will pick A because that
slot is empty for me)
Now you will see a window that should look like this:
These 2 numbers are how big the graph will be. If you played with Legos, you
know that the studs are in rows and columns, so you would call a brick a 2x3 brick
or a 1x4 brick, etc. In this case, the graph is a 2x3 because it has 2 rows, and 3
columns. Now put the corresponding numbers in the correct place.

−2x + 5y = 6
5x + 2y = 7
Now hit:
2nd -> mode
2nd -> x^(-1) -> Math -> Go down to rref( -> Enter
2nd -> x^(-1) -> (Now click the letter you put your matrix on, mine is on A) -> Enter
Enter

Our answer is a decimal value of around (.79, 1.51)

How do we know what goes in the x value and y value?

x value
y value
There's something you need to know...
All of the methods used to find the solution are the same

What we’re doing in all of the problems is just finding the intersection point of the
lines.

And in math, there are more than one method to solve an equation. Multiplying
one by 3 then dividing by 3 is the same as dividing first then multiplying. So pick
the method that would best solve the question.
3x3 Systems
How to solve with substitution
This process will be similar to that used for 2x2 systems, but will require more
simplification.
Here are our equations:
x + 2y - 2z = -15 [1]
2x + y - 5z = -21 [2]
x - 4y + z = 18 [3]

Start with any of the equations. Pick any variable in the equation and solve for it.
We will pick equation [3], and solve for x.
x - 4y + z = 18
x = 18 + 4y - z
Now, substitute this value for x into the other two equations, [1] and [2], and
simplify.

Substitute into [1]:

x + 2y - 2z = -15
(18 + 4y - z) + 2y - 2z = -15
6y - 3z = -33

Substitute into [2]:

2x + y - 5z = -21
2 (18 + 4y - z) + y - 5z = -21
9y - 7z = -57
You now have a system with two equations and two unknowns, y and z. We would
now solve it like a 2x2 system.

6y - 3z = -33
9y - 7z = -57

Solve for z (or y if you want) in either equation

6y - 3z = -33
z = 2y + 11

Substitute it into the other equation:

9y - 7z = -57
9y - 7(2y + 11) = -57
y = -4
Substitute y = -4 into 6y - 3z = -33 or 9y - 7z = -57
6y - 3z = -33
6(-4) - 3z = -33
z=3

Now plug in the value of y and z into the equations [1] [2] or [3]. I will be plugging it
into [1]
x + 2y - 2z = -15
x + 2(-4) - 2(3) = -15
x = -1

Our answer is:

(-1, -4, 3)
How to solve with elimination
Here are our equations:
[1]: x + 2y - 2z = -15
[2]: 2x + y - 5z = -21
[3]: x - 4y + z = 18

Start with any two equations to eliminate a variable. Choose the easiest variable to
eliminate. Then choose a different pair of equations and eliminate the same
variable. You will be left with a 2x2 system.

We will eliminate x from [3] and [1]. Just put the equations on top of each other
and subtract.

x + 2y - 2z = -15
-(x - 4y + z = 18)
-----------------------
6y - 3z = -33
Now we have 1 equation for the 2x2 equation, but we still need another one. We
will eliminate x from [3] and [2], but to do that, we need the same coefficient. To do
that, multiply equation [3] by 2:

2x + y - 5z = -21
-(2x - 8y +2z = 36)
-------------------------
9y - 7z = -57

Now solve it like a 2x2 equation:

[4] 6y - 3z = -33
[5] 9y - 7z = -57

(6)(6y - 3z = -33)
(-4)(9y - 7z = -57)
36y - 18z = -198
-36y + 28z = 228
------------------------
10z = 30
z=3

Now that we have z = 3, substitute z back into [4] or [5] to find the value of y:
6y - 3z = -33
6y - 3(3) = -33
y = -4

Substitute the solutions for z and y back into [1], [2] or [3] to find the value of x:
x + 2y - 2z = -15
x + 2(-4) - 2(3) = -15
x = -1

The solution is: (-1, -4, 3)

Word problems to copy and paste
You are running a concession stand at a state fair. You are selling hot dogs and sodas. Each hot dog costs
$1.50 and each soda costs $0.50. At the end of the night you made a total of $78.50. You sold a total of 87 hot
dogs and sodas combined. How many hot dogs were sold and how many sodas were sold?

Jesse was buying supplies to prepare for homecoming. Jesse purchased three sheets of craft paper, four boxes of markers and five
glue sticks. His bill, before taxes was $24.40. Maria spent $30.40 when she bought six sheets of craft paper, five boxes of markers
and two glue sticks. Charles, purchases totaled $13.40 when he bought three sheets of craft paper, two boxes of markers and one
glue stick. Determine the unit cost of each item.

1. Let p represent the number of sheets of craft paper.

2. Let m represent the number of boxes of markers.
3. Let g represent the number of glue sticks.

You should end up with these equations

● 3p+4m +5g = 24.4

● 6p+5m+2g=30.40
● 3p+2m+1g=13.40

Now that you have the equations, solve like any other 3x3 system
Variable in denominator
Im working on it u dont have to do this