6. Solving System of Equations Algebraically
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Chapter 7
6.
Solving System of Equations Algebraically
This lesson introduces methods to solve systems of equations algebraically, focusing on substitution and elimination. It explains how these techniques help determine if a system has one, none, or infinitely many solutions. The concepts are practical for analyzing and solving real-world problems involving multiple variables.
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Lesson Settings & Tools
| | 14 Theory slides |
| | 11 Exercises - Grade E - A |
| | Each lesson is meant to take 1-2 classroom sessions |
Solving System of Equations Algebraically
Slide of 14
Systems of equations are used to relate the values of two or more variables. There are different methods of solving a system of equations. This lesson will present these methods and show how to use them.
Catch-Up and Review
Here are a few recommended readings before getting started with this lesson.
Challenge
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Books and Movies About Space
Vincenzo is fascinated by all things related to space and astronauts. He spends a lot of his free time reading books and watching movies about space travel, distant galaxies, and rocket science.
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Substitution Method of Solving a System of Equations
There are several methods for solving a system of equations. One of the most popular methods is the Substitution Method.
Method
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Substitution Method
The Substitution Method is an algebraic method for finding the solutions of a system of equations. It consists of substituting an equivalent expression for a variable in one of the equations of the system. Consider, for example, the following system of linear equations.
y-4=2x & (I) 9x+6=3y & (II)
To solve the system by using the Substitution Method, there are four steps to follow.
1
Isolate One Variable in Any of the Equations
expand_more The first step is to isolate any variable in any of the equations. For simplicity, in this case, the y-variable will be isolated in Equation (I).
2
Substitute the Expression
expand_more Substitute the new expression for the variable in the equation where the variable was not isolated. In this case, 2x+4 will be substituted for y in Equation (II).
Now Equation (II) only has one variable, which is x.
3
Solve the Equation With One Variable
expand_more Solve the equation that contains only one variable. In this case, Equation (II) will be solved for x.
The value of the x-variable is 2.
4
Substitute the Value of the Variable Into the Other Equation
expand_more Now that the value of one of the variables is known, it can be substituted into the equation that has not been considered yet. Here, x= 2 will be substituted into Equation (I).
The value of the y-variable in this system is 8. Therefore, the solution to the system of equations, which is the point of intersection of the lines, is (2,8) or x=2, y=8.
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First Time Spacewalking
After reading another book about space, Vincenzo quickly fell asleep and dreamed that he was an astronaut spacewalking for the first time. What an amazing experience!
Vincenzo received a task to install some external parts to the spaceship. The number of parts p he installed and the number of minutes m he spent in the open space are related by a system of equations.
p+4m=42 8p-5m=3
The second equation can be graphed by following the same process. 
The solution of the system of equations is represented by the point of intersection of the lines. If the point of intersection lies on lattice lines or their intersections, the exact solution will be determined. Otherwise, only an estimate of the solution might be found. 
The value of m is found to be 9. Now it can be substituted in either of the original equations. Notice that p is already isolated in the first equation, so it might be convenient to substitute the value of m into this equation and evaluate p.
The solution to the system of equations is p=6 and m=9.
ccc
Graphing & & Substitution Method & & Method ↘ & & ↙ & (9,6) &
However, in this case, the Substitution Method can be more convenient because it is shorter and gives the exact solution. By comparison, the graphing method requires the equations to be in slope-intercept form and does not always result in finding the exact solution.
External credits: @catalyststuff
a Solve the system by graphing.
b Solve the system by substitution.
c Are the solutions the same? Which method of solving is more useful in this case and why?
Answer
a Graph:
Solution: m=9, p=6
b m=9, p=6
c The solutions are the same. In this case, the Substitution Method is more useful for a number of reasons.
Hint
a Rewrite the equations in slope-intercept form. Then use the slope and y-intercept to graph each equation.
b Isolate p in the first equation and substitute the corresponding expression into the second equation to find m. Then substitute the value of m into the first equation and find p.
c Identify which method is shorter. Does either method require the equations to be in a specific form? Do they both result in finding the exact solutions every time?
Solution
a In order to solve the system of equations by graphing, both equations should be written in slope-intercept form.
8p-5m=3
▼
Write in slope-intercept form
AddEqn
LHS+5m=RHS+5m
8p=3+5m
DivEqn
.LHS /8.=.RHS /8.
p=3+5m/8
WriteSumFrac
Write as a sum of fractions
p=3/8+5m/8
MovePartNumRight
a* b/c=a/c* b
p=3/8+5/8m
CommutativePropAdd
Commutative Property of Addition
p=5/8m+3/8
Draw a line through the two plotted points to get the graph of the first equation.
The lines intersect at (9,6). Therefore, m=9 and p=6, which indicates that Vincenzo spent 9 minutes spacewalking and installed 6 parts on the spaceship.
b The system of equations will now be solved by using the Substitution Method. Start by isolating the variable p and substituting the corresponding expression into the second equation.
p+4m=42 & (I) 8p-5m=3 & (II)
SubEqn
(I): LHS-4m=RHS-4m
p=42-4m 8p-5m=3
Substitute
(II): p= 42-4m
p=42-4m 8( 42-4m)-5m=3
Distr
(II): Distribute 8
p=42-4m 336-32m-5m=3
SubTerm
(II): Subtract term
p=42-4m 336-37m=3
SubEqn
(II): LHS-336=RHS-336
p=42-4m - 37m=- 333
DivEqn
(II): .LHS /(- 37).=.RHS /(- 37).
p=42-4m m=9
p=42-4m m=9
Substitute
(I): m= 9
p=42-4( 9) m=9
Multiply
(I): Multiply
p=42-36 m=9
SubTerm
(I): Subtract term
p=6 m=9
c Both methods of solving the system of equations gave the same solution. Therefore, both methods of solving are correct.
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Distances Between Planets
In his dreams, Vincenzo gets to travel to planets far far away. Traveling to two distant planets Lunaris and Exosia from Earth takes 137 years and 680 years, respectively.
The distances from Earth to Lunaris l and to Exosia e are given by the following system of equations.
2l+2=e l+3e=97
a Solve the system by using the Substitution Method.
b Check the solution by substituting it into both equations of the system.
c Graph the system of equations and analyze the coordinates of the point of intersection.
Answer
a l=13 and e=28
b See solution.
c Graph:
Hint
a Isolate one variable in one of the equations. Substitute the corresponding expression into the other equation to solve for the other variable.
b Substitute the solution from Part A into the system of equations and see if true statements are found.
c Rewrite each equation in slope-intercept form. Then, graph the equations using the y-intercepts and slopes.
Solution
a The system of equations will be solved by using the Substitution Method. Start by isolating one variable in one equation. Notice that e is already isolated in the first equation.
e=2l+2 l=13
Substitute
(I): l= 13
e=2( 13)+2 l=13
Multiply
(I): Multiply
e=26+2 l=13
SubTerm
(I): Subtract term
e=28 l=13
b To check the solution, substitute 13 for l and 28 for e into the system of equations. If both equations result in true statements after simplification, the solution is correct.
l2l+2=e l+3e=97
SubstituteII
l= 13, e= 28
l2( 13)+2? = 28 13+3( 28)? =97
Multiply
Multiply
l26+2? =28 13+84? =97
AddTerms
Add terms
l28=28 ✓ 97=97 ✓
c To solve the system of equations by graphing, start by rewriting both equations in slope-intercept form. Consider l as the y-variable and e as the x-variable. Start with Equation (I).
The point of intersection lies on a lattice line where e=28. However, it can be difficult to determine the exact value of l just by looking at the graph. It can have values from 11 to 14. In Part A it was found that l is 13. The graph does support that value, so the solution is (28,13).
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Elimination Method
Given a system of two equations in two variables, replacing one equation with the sum of that equation and a multiple of the other equation produces an equivalent system. This fact is used to solve systems of equations by the Elimination Method. Consider an example system of linear equations.
3x+2y=6 & (I) y=2x-11 & (II)
To solve the system by using the Elimination Method, there are five steps to follow.
1
Write the Equations in the Same Form
expand_more First, all like terms must be gathered on the same sides of the equations. In Equation (I), the variable terms are on the same side of the equation. However, the variable terms are on both sides of the equations in Equation (II). Like terms can be gathered on the same sides of the equations by applying the Properties of Equality.
2
Multiply an Equation
expand_more Multiply one of the equations by a constant so that one of the variable terms of the resulting equation is equal to or is the opposite of the corresponding variable term in the other equation. In this case, multiplying Equation (II) by - 2 will produce opposite coefficients for the y-variable. - 2 (- 2x+y)= - 2(- 11) ⇕ 4x-2y= 22 Both the original and the resulting equations have the same solutions because they are equivalent equations.
3
Add the New Equation and the Other Equation
expand_more After the rewrites, the system of equations looks the following way.
3x + 2y=6 4x - 2y=22
Add these two equations by adding the right-hand sides together and the left-hand sides together. This way one variable will be eliminated.
Note that this step results in an equation in only one variable. This equation can be solved by dividing both sides by 7.
3x+2y+( 4x-2y)=6+ 22
▼
Simplify
RemovePar
Remove parentheses
3x+2y+4x-2y=6+22
CommutativePropAdd
Commutative Property of Addition
3x+4x+2y-2y=6+22
AddSubTerms
Add and subtract terms
7x= 28
4
Write an Equivalent System
expand_more Substitute the value for the solved equation in one variable for any of the equations of the system. This produces an equivalent system of equations. In this case, Equation (I) will be replaced. & 3x+2y=6 & (I) - 2x+y=- 11 & (II) & ⇕ & x= 4 - 2x+y=- 11 Note that the first equation is the solution value of x.
5
Solve the Equivalent System
expand_more To solve the new system, substitute the found value into the other equation. In this case, 4 will be substituted into Equation (II) for x to find the value of y.
In this system, the value of y is - 3. Therefore, the solution to the system of equations, which is the point of intersection of the lines, is (4,- 3), or x=4, y=- 3.
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Pit Stop on Exosia
Vincenzo and his team reached the planet Exosia and made a short stop there to refuel and repair their spaceship. The people of Exosia help Vincenzo and his crew make some modifications to their ship so they can travel at even greater speeds!
Their initial maximum speed s and the improved intergalactic superspeed n are related by the following system of equations.
2n-s=37 7s-4n=- 19
Equation (I) simplified to s=11. This value can be substituted into Equation (II) to calculate the value of n.
The solution is s=11 and n=24. Keep in mind that the Elimination Method works because equivalent systems share the same solution.
External credits: @catalyststuff
a Solve this system by graphing.
b Solve the same system by elimination.
c Are the solutions the same?
Answer
a Graph:
b s=11, n=24
c Yes
Hint
a Rewrite each equation in slope-intercept form. Then, graph both equations on the same coordinate plane.
b Multiply the first equation by 2 and add the equations together to eliminate n and solve for s.
c Compare the solutions found by each method.
Solution
a The system of equations can be solved graphically by first rewriting each equation in slope-intercept form. Consider n as the y-variable and s as the x-variable.
2n-s=37 & (I) 7s-4n=- 19 & (II)
n=0.5s+18.5 n=1.75s+4.75
Looking at the graph, the solution appears to be s=11 and n=24.
b Notice that Equation (I) can be multiplied by 2 so that the n-terms can be eliminated by adding the equations.
2n-s=37 & (I) 7s-4n=- 19 & (II)
MultEqn
(I): LHS * 2=RHS* 2
4n-2s=74 7s-4n=- 19
SysEqnAdd
(I): Add (II)
4n-2s+( 7s-4n) =74+ ( - 19) 7s-4n=- 19
▼
(I): Solve for s
AddNeg
(I): a+(- b)=a-b
4n-2s+7s-4n =74-19 7s-4n=- 19
AddSubTerms
(I): Add and subtract terms
5s=55 7s-4n=- 19
DivEqn
(I): .LHS /5.=.RHS /5.
s = 11 7s-4n=- 19
c Finally, the solutions found by using the two different methods can be compared.
Graphing Method:& s=11, n=24 Elimination Method:& s=11, n=24 Both methods resulted in the same solution, which means that they are both correct. Comparing the methods, using the Elimination Method might be a little easier and quicker than graphing the equations. This method also always results in finding the exact solution, while graphing sometimes results in finding just an estimation of the solution.
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Discovering a New Galaxy
After refueling and repairing the spaceship, Vincenzo continued his way across space. His destination is a new galaxy called the Stellar Nebula.
Vincenzo used a laser measuring device on the spaceship to determine the dimensions of the galaxy. Its width w and height h are related by the following system of equations. 3w-4h=6 5h=78-w
a Solve the system by using the Elimination Method.
Answer
a w=18, h=12
c See solution.
Hint
a Add w to both sides of the second equation, then multiply it by 3. Subtract the equations to eliminate w. Solve the resulting equation for h.
b Substitute the values from Part A into the original system of equations.
Solution
a Start by recalling that the Elimination Method is a method of eliminating one variable from a system of equations. This is done by first rewriting the coefficients to be the same or opposites, then adding or subtracting the equations. First, rewrite Equation (II) by adding w to both sides and multiplying by 3.
3w-4h=6 & (I) 5h=78-w & (II)
AddEqn
(II): LHS+w=RHS+w
3w-4h=6 5h+w=78
MultEqn
(II): LHS * 3=RHS* 3
3w-4h=6 15h+3w=234
SysEqnSub
(II): Subtract (I)
3w-4h=6 15h+3w-( 3w-4h)=234- 6
▼
(I): Solve for h
Distr
(II): Distribute - 1
3w-4h=6 15h+3w-3w-(- 4h)=234-6
SubNeg
(II): a-(- b)=a+b
3w-4h=6 15h+3w-3w+4h=234-6
CommutativePropAdd
(II): Commutative Property of Addition
3w-4h=6 15h+4h+3w-3w=234-6
AddSubTerms
(II): Add and subtract terms
3w-4h=6 19h=228
DivEqn
(II): .LHS /19.=.RHS /19.
3w-4h=6 h=12
b To verify the solution, substitute the values found in Part A into the system of equations and simplify.
| Equation (I) | Equation (II) | |
|---|---|---|
| Equation | 3w-4h=6 | 5h=78-w |
| Substitute | 3( 18)-4( 12)? =6 | 5( 12)? =78- 18 |
| Simplify | 6 = 6 ✓ | 60 = 60 ✓ |
The values verify both equations of the system. Therefore, the solution is correct!
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Checking the Solutions of Systems of Equations
Consider the given system of linear equations. Check whether the values of x and y correspond to a solution to the system.
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Practice Solving Systems of Linear Equations
Solve the system of linear equations to find the values of x and y.
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Numbers of Solution to Systems of Equations
Solving a system of equations can result in three different scenarios. One possible scenario is when a system of equations has exactly one solution. y=4x+5 7x-y=4 ⇓ x=3 y=17 The graph of this system of equations consists of two intersecting lines. The coordinates of the intersection point correspond to the solution of the system of equations.
Another possible scenario is when solving a system of equations results in an identity. y=4x+5 2y-8x=10 ⇔ y=4x+5 10=10 ✓ In this case, the system of equations has infinitely many solutions and the graph of the system is two coincidental lines.
The last possible scenario is when solving a system of equations results in a false statement. y=4x+5 2x-0.5y=3 ⇔ y=4x+5 - 2.5=3 * This means that the system of equations has no solution. The graph of this type of system of equations is two parallel lines.
These three scenarios are summarized in a table.
| Number of Solutions | Graph |
|---|---|
| One solution | Intersecting lines |
| Infinitely many solutions | Coincidental lines |
| No solution | Parallel lines |
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Stars and Planets in the Stellar Nebula
Vincenzo was amazed by the beauty of the newly discovered galaxy Stellar Nebula. It shined with blue and purple colors as he approached in his spaceship.
The Stellar Nebula has p million planets and s million stars. These numbers are related by the following system of equations. 6s-15p=57 19+5p=2s
a Solve the system of equations.
b Graph the system of equations on a coordinate plane. How do the lines relate to each other?
Answer
a Infinitely many solutions
b The lines are coincidental.
Hint
a Solve the system of equations by using the Substitution or Elimination Methods.
b Rewrite the equations in slope-intercept form and graph them. How many common points do their graphs have?
Solution
a Start by analyzing the given system of equations.
6s-15p=57 & (I) 19+5p=2s & (II)
MultEqn
(II): LHS * 3=RHS* 3
6s-15p=57 57+15p=6s
RearrangeEqn
(II): Rearrange equation
6s-15p=57 6s=57+15p
SysEqnSub
(I): Subtract ( II)
6s-15p- 6s=57-( 57+15p) 6s=57+15p
SubTerm
(I): Subtract term
- 15p=- 15p 6s=57+15p
b To graph the system of equations on a coordinate plane, first, rewrite both equations so that they are in slope-intercept form. Consider s as the y-variable and p as the x-variable.
6s-15p=57 & (I) 19+5p=2s & (II)
▼
(I), (II): Write in slope-intercept form
AddEqn
(I): LHS+15p=RHS+15p
6s=15p+57 19+5p=2s
DivEqn
(I): .LHS /6.=.RHS /6.
s=2.5p+9.5 19+5p=2s
RearrangeEqn
(II): Rearrange equation
s=2.5p+9.5 2s=19+5p
DivEqn
(II): .LHS /2.=.RHS /2.
s=2.5p+9.5 s=9.5+2.5p
CommutativePropAdd
(II): Commutative Property of Addition
s=2.5p+9.5 s=2.5p+9.5
Since the lines have the same equation, their graphs are coincidental lines. This piece of information highlights the fact that the lines have infinitely many common points. This means the system of equations has infinitely many solutions.
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Exploring a Black Hole
While exploring the new galaxy, Vincenzo and his team noticed a black hole on the edge of the galaxy. Curious, they flew closer to the black hole to register some of its characteristics.
They tried to measure the density d and mass m of the black hole and got the following system of equations. 16d=- 8m+20 m=4-2d
a Solve the system of equations.
b Graph the system of equations on a coordinate plane. How do the lines relate to each other?
Answer
a No solution
b The lines are parallel.
Hint
a Solve the system of equations by using the Substitution or the Elimination Method.
b Rewrite the equations in slope-intercept form and graph them. How many common points do their graphs have?
Solution
a Start by analyzing the given system of equations.
16d=- 8m+20 & (I) m=4-2d & (II)
Substitute
(I): m= 4-2d
16d=- 8( 4-2d)+20 m=4-2d
Distr
(I): Distribute - 8
16d=- 32+16d+20 m=4-2d
AddTerms
(I): Add terms
16d=16d-12 m=4-2d
SubEqn
(I): LHS-16d=RHS-16d
0≠ - 12 m=4-2d
b To graph the system of equations on a coordinate plane, start by rewriting both equations so that they are in slope-intercept form. Consider m as the y-variable and d as the x-variable.
16d=- 8m+20 & (I) m=4-2d & (II)
▼
(I), (II): Write in slope-intercept form
CommutativePropAdd
(II): Commutative Property of Addition
16d=- 8m+20 m=- 2d+4
RearrangeEqn
(I): Rearrange equation
- 8m+20=16d m=- 2d+4
SubEqn
(I): LHS-20=RHS-20
- 8m=16d-20 m=- 2d+4
DivEqn
(I): .LHS /(- 8).=.RHS /(- 8).
m=- 2d+2.5 m=- 2d+4
The lines are parallel. Since they do not intersect, there is no solution to the system of equations. Vincenzo's team was getting closer and closer to the dark hole when, suddenly, he woke up. Wow, what a cool dream he had tonight!
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Finding the Number of Books and Movies
Vincenzo spends a lot of his free time reading books and watching movies about space travel, distant galaxies, and rocket science.
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Hint
Write two equations that describe the total number of movies and books about space that Vincenzo has watched or read. Then solve the system of equations by using the Substitution Method.
Solution
Let b be the number of books and m be the number of movies about space that Vincenzo has read or watched. It is given that the total number of books and movies is 27. This means that the first equation can be written by adding b and m and setting the sum equal to 27. b+m=27
The number of movies is 9 more than the number of books. Using this information, a second linear equation can be written.
m=b+9
These two equations form a system of equations.
b+m=27 m=b+9
Since m is already isolated in Equation (II), solve the system by using the Substitution Method.
This means that Vincenzo has read 9 books and watched 18 movies about space.
b+m=27 & (I) m=b+9 & (II)
Substitute
(I): m= b+9
b+ b+9=27 m=b+9
AddTerms
(I): Add terms
2b+9=27 m=b+9
SubEqn
(I): LHS-9=RHS-9
2b=18 m=b+9
DivEqn
(I): .LHS /2.=.RHS /2.
b=9 m=b+9
Substitute
(II): b= 9
b=9 m= 9+9
AddTerms
(II): Add terms
b=9 m=18
Solving System of Equations Algebraically
Exercise 2.1
On one bright and sunny summer day, 590 people visited the HowItWorks Museum. Admission tickets cost $4.75 for children and $6.25 for adults. The total revenue for admission that day was $3276.50. How many children c and how many adults a visited the museum that day?
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We are asked to find the numbers of children and adults that visited the HowItWorks Museum on a certain summer day. Let's first try to create a system of equations using the given information. Here, c is the number of children and a is the number of adults. &c→ Number of children at the museum &a→ Number of adults at the museum We are told that 590 people visited the museum that day. This means that the sum of the numbers of adults a and children c is equal to 590. a+c=590 We also know that the tickets cost $4.75 for children and $6.25 for adults. This means that the total cost of the tickets for the children is 4.75* c and the total cost of the tickets for the adults is 6.25* a. 4.75 * c = 4.75c 6.25 * a = 6.25a The cost of admission totaled $3276.50, so we can say that the sum of 4.75c and 6.25a should be equal to 3276.5. 4.75c+ 6.25a= 3276.5 We have created two equations for a and c. Together they form a system of equations. a+c=590 4.75c+6.25a=3276.5 We can solve this system using the Substitution Method. Let's begin by isolating a in the first equation. Then we can substitute the corresponding expression into the second equation.
Great! We found that c=274. Now we can substitute 274 for c into the first equation to find the value of a.
We found that a=316 and c=274. This means that 316 adults and 274 children were at the HowItWorks Museum that day!
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The number of lollipops l made in m minutes by each of two machines is given by equations below.
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We are given a system of equations that represents the relations between the number of lollipops l and the time m, in minutes, in which they are made by each of two machines. 180m+4l=60 l+45m=60 We will use the substitution to determine if there is a point in time when the machines will have made the same number of lollipops. Let's begin by isolating l in the second equation.
Now we can substitute l=60-45m into the first equation.
The first equation is a false statement because 240 can never be equal to 60. This means that this system of equations has no solutions. In other words, the machines will never produce the same number of lollipops in the same amount of time.
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At a basketball game, a team made 53 successful shots. The shots were a combination of 1- and 2-point baskets. The team scored 97 points in total.
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We want to solve the given system of equations using the Elimination Method to find the number of 1- and 2-point shots the team made. x+y = 53 x+2y=97 Recall that the Elimination Method consists of eliminating one of the variables by adding or subtracting the equations. This means that either the x- or the y-terms must cancel each other out. x+ y = 53 & (I) x+2 y=97 & (II) We can see that the x-terms will eliminate each other if we subtract Equation (I) from Equation (II).
Now we can solve for x by substituting the value of y into either equation and simplifying.
The solution to the system of equations is x=9 and y=44. This solution means that the team made 9 1-point shots and 44 2-point shots.
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Train A and Train B together weigh a total of 356 tons. Train A is heavier than Train B. The difference between their weights is 42 tons.
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Let a be the weight of Train A and b the weight of Train B. We know that the sum of their weights is 356 tons. Let's use this to write our first equation. a+b=356 We are also told that Train A is heavier than Train B by 42 tons. This tells us that a-b is equal to 42. Let's write our second equation! a-b=42 Next, we can gather these two equations in a system of equations to find the values of a and b. a+ b = 356 & (I) a- b=42 & (II) We can see that the b-terms will eliminate each other if we add Equation (II) to Equation (I). Let's do it!
Now we can solve for b by substituting the value of a into either equation and simplifying.
The solution to the system of equations is a=199 and b=157. Therefore, Train A weighs 199 tons and Train B weighs 157 tons.
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Davontay and Emily are siblings. The sum of their ages is 42. Also, adding Davontay's age to 3 times Emily's age results in 76.
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Let d be Davontay's age and e be Emily's age. We know that the sum of their ages is 42. Let's use this information to write an equation. d+e=42 We are also told that Davontay's age plus 3 times Emily's age is equal to 76. Let's use this information to write a second equation. d+3e=76 Together, the equations form the following system of equations. d+e=42 d+3e=76 Let's solve this system of equations using the Substitution Method. First, we will isolate d on one side of the equation, then substitute the corresponding expression into the other equation.
Now we can substitute 17 for e into either equation and solve for d.
The solution is d=25 and e=17. This means that Davontay is 25 years old and Emily is 17 years old.
Let's solve the same system of equations using the Elimination Method this time. d+e=42 & (I) d+3e=76 & (II) Notice that subtracting Equation (I) from Equation (II) will eliminate the variable d.
Next, substitute 17 for e into Equation (I) and solve for d.
The solution is d=25 and e=17.
Let's compare the solutions we found by using two different solution methods. rcc Substitution Method:& d=25, & e=17 Elimination Method:& d=25, & e=17 We can see that the solutions are the same. This means that both methods are correct, despite being different.
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Solving System of Equations Algebraically
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