System of Linear
Equations
Alok Kumar Mishra
Systems of Linear
Equations
A system of linear equations consists of two or more linear
equations.
This section focuses on only two equations at a time.
The solution of a system of linear equations in two
variables is any ordered pair that solves both of the linear
equations.
Solution of a
System
Example
Determine whether the given point is a solution of the following system.
point: (– 3, 1)
system: x – y = – 4 and 2x + 10y = 4
•Plug the values into the equations.
First equation: – 3 – 1 = – 4 true
Second equation: 2(– 3) + 10(1) = – 6 + 10 = 4 true
•Since the point (– 3, 1) produces a true statement in both equations, it is a solution.
Solving Systems of
Linear Equations by
Substitution
Solving Systems of Linear
Equations by Substitution
Another method that can be used to solve systems of
equations is called the substitution method.
You solve one equation for one of the variables, then
substitute the new form of the equation into the other
equation for the solved variable.
The Substitution Method
Solve the following system using the substitution method.
3x – y = 6 and – 4x + 2y = –8
Solving the first equation for y,
3x – y = 6
–y = –3x + 6 (subtract 3x from both sides)
y = 3x – 6 (divide both sides by – 1)
Substitute this value for y in the second equation.
–4x + 2y = –8
–4x + 2(3x – 6) = –8 (replace y with result from first equation)
–4x + 6x – 12 = –8 (use the distributive property)
2x – 12 = –8 (simplify the left side)
2x = 4 (add 12 to both sides)
x=2 (divide both sides by 2)
Substitute x = 2 into the first equation solved for y.
y = 3x – 6 = 3(2) – 6 = 6 – 6 = 0
Our computations have produced the point (2, 0).
Check the point in the original equations.
First equation,
3x – y = 6
3(2) – 0 = 6 true
Second equation,
–4x + 2y = –8
–4(2) + 2(0) = –8 true
The solution of the system is (2, 0).
Solving Systems of
Linear Equations
by Elimination
The Elimination
Method
Another method that can be used to solve systems of
equations is called the addition, arithmetic or
elimination method.
You multiply both equations by numbers that will
allow you to combine the two equations and
eliminate one of the variables.
The Elimination Method
Solve the following system of equations using the
elimination method.
6x – 3y = –3 and 4x + 5y = –9
Multiply both sides of the first equation by 5 and the second
equation by 3.
First equation,
5(6x – 3y) = 5(–3)
30x – 15y = –15 (use the distributive
property)
Second equation,
3(4x + 5y) = 3(–9)
12x + 15y = –27 (use the distributivproperty)
Combine the two resulting equations (eliminating the
variable y).
30x – 15y = –15
12x + 15y = –27
42x = –42
x = –1 (divide both sides by 42)
Substitute the value for x into one of the original equations.
6x – 3y = –3
6(–1) – 3y = –3 (replace the x value in the first equation)
–6 – 3y = –3 (simplify the left side)
–3y = –3 + 6 = 3 (add 6 to both sides and simplify)
y = –1 (divide both sides by –3)
Our computations have produced the point (–1, –1).
Solving a System of Linear Equations by the Addition or
Elimination Method
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 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.
THANK YOU
