MAT 406 CHAPTER 4: SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS AND

INEQUALITIES
PREPARED BY: DR. NUR IZZATI KHAIRUDIN

4.1 EQUATIONS
4.1.1 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS
- We have introduced to solving an equation in one variable (𝑥 or 𝑦
variables).

- The word "system" indicates that the equations are to be considered

collectively, rather than individually.
A system of linear equations is a collection of linear equations which involve
the same set of variables.
+ For example,
𝑥 + 2𝑦 = −3
−𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1

is a system of equations that has two variables 𝑥 and 𝑦.

+ The solution to a linear system is an assignment of numbers to the variables
that satisfy every equation in the system.

+ For a given system, we could have one solution, no solutions or infinitely

many solutions.

How to solve a system of linear equations?

By using

1) Substitution Method

2) Elimination Method
 THE SUBSTITUTION METHOD

To solve a system using the substitution method, we start with one

equation in the system and solve for one variable in terms of the other
variable.

EXAMPLE 1
EXAMPLE 2

Solve the following system of equations.

𝑥 + 2𝑦 = −3
−𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1
SOLUTION
• Step 1: Isolate variable 𝑥 using the second equation:
𝑥 = 𝑦−1
• Step 2: Substitute the relation into the other equation:
(𝑦 − 1 ) + 2𝑦 = −3 → 3𝑦 − 1 = −3
• Step 3: Repeat, and then solve. Since we now have only 1 variable,
solve for it:
−2
(𝑦 − 1 ) + 2𝑦 = −3 → 𝑦 =
3
• Step 4: Substitute y back into the relations (Step 1):
−2 5
𝑥= − 1= −
3 3
• Step 5: State the complete solution:
5 −2
𝑥 = − 3 and 𝑦 = .
3

EXAMPLE 3

Solve the system of equations,

2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 4

3𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 7

SOLUTION
Solving the first equation for 𝑦 gives 𝑦 = 4 − 2𝑥.

Substituting the 𝑦 into the second equation gives,

3𝑥 + 2(4 − 2𝑥 ) = 7
3𝑥 + 8 − 4𝑥 = 7
𝑥=1
Then substituting value of 𝑥 into the first equation, we have
 𝑦 = 4 − 2(1) = 2

∴ The solution to the system of equations is 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑦 = 2.

Note:
1. Using the process of substitution may not be the quickest nor the
easiest approach for a given system of linear equations.
2. However, we are always guaranteed to find the solution if we work
through the entire process.
3. Thus, the solution must not lose validity for any of the equations.
4. Select your options so that your calculations are simple and use any
method that suits you.

THE ELIMINATION METHOD

To solve a system using the elimination method, we try to combine the
equations using sums or differences so as to eliminate one of the variables.
EXAMPLE 4

Figure 3.
EXAMPLE 5

Solve 𝑥 and 𝑦.
𝑥+𝑦 = 7
𝑥−𝑦 = 3
SOLUTION
𝑥+𝑦 = 7
𝑥−𝑦 = 3

(Adding the equations eliminates the 𝑦‐terms)

2𝑥 = 10
𝑥=5

(Now inserting 5 for 𝑥 in the first equation)

5+𝑦 =7
𝑦=2

Answer: 𝑥 = 5 and 𝑦 = 2.

EXAMPLE 6

Solve the system of equations,

SOLUTION

First multiply the second equation by 3. Now the 𝑦 is preceded by a 3 in each

equation.

Eliminating the 𝑦 terms by subtracting both equations

Plugging 𝑥 = 5 in one of the original equations to solve for 𝑦.

Answer: 𝑥 = 5 and 𝑦 = 3.
Verification:

To check the solution, replace each 𝑥 = 5 in each equation and replace

each 𝑦 = 3 in each equation.

EXAMPLE 7

Solve the system of equations,

3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 8
𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −1.5
by using the substitution and elimination methods.
EXERCISES

Solve for 𝑥 and 𝑦.

1) Elimination: 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 5
6𝑥 + 8𝑦 = 9
(Answer: No solution)

2) Elimination: 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 5
5𝑥 − 6𝑦 = 2
1
(Answer: 𝑦 = 2, 𝑥 = 1)

3) Substitution: 𝑥 = 𝑦+8
𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 48

(Answer: 𝑦 = 10, 𝑥 = 18)

4) Substitution: 5𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 14
𝑦 − 4𝑥 = −17

(Answer: 𝑦 = −1, 𝑥 = 4)

5) Substitution: 5𝑥 − 6𝑦 = 14
𝑦 − 4𝑥 = −17
29 88
(Answer: 𝑦 = 19, 𝑥 = 19)
References:

1) System of Linear Equations (Simultaneous Equations). Brilliant.org. Retrieved

from https://brilliant.org/wiki/system-of-linear-equations/#systems-of-linear-
equations-problem-solving

2) Solving Systems of Equations (Simultaneous Equations). Cliffnotes.com.

Retrieved from https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/algebra/algebra-
i/equations-with-two-variables/solving-systems-of-equations-simultaneous-
equations