Unit 05 January

1. SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS.

A System of Linear Equations (or Linear System) is a collection of Linear

Equations involving the same set of variables.

Solving a system of equations means finding the values of the variables that
make all the equations true at the same time.

1.1. NUMBER OF SOLUTIONS OF TWO-VARIABLE SYSTEMS.

When you are solving systems, you are, graphically, finding Intersection of
Lines. (Remember that the graph of a linear equation, + = , is a straight line,
and its points are the solutions ot the equation). For two-variable systems, there are
three possible types of solutions:

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1.2. THE GRAPHICAL METHOD.

The Graphical Method consists of graphing every equation in the system and
then using the Graph to find the Coordinates of the point(s) where the graphs
intersect. The point of intersection is the solution.

1.3. THE SUBSTITUTION METHOD.

To solve a system of equations using Substitution, first solve one of the

equations for a variable, and then substitute it into the other equation. Always
substitute into the other equation and always use brackets.

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1.4. THE EQUALIZATION METHOD.

The Equalization Method consists in isolating the same unknown in both

equations and then equaling the obtained expressions. In short, the steps we have to
follow in order to solve the system are:

Clear the same unknown in both equations.

Equate the obtained expressions in order to have one single equation with one
unknown that can be easily solved.
Put the solution back into any of the two original equations in order to obtain the
value of the second variable.

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1.5. THE ELIMINATION METHOD / ADDITION METHOD.

Elimination consists of adding equations together to eliminate variables.

Sometimes you have to multiply equations by a number before you add them. The
Goal is to end up with one equation that has just one variable. Then you can use back-
substitution to solve for the other variable.

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Unit 05 January

MATH VOCABULARY: Linear System, Linear Equations, Set, Intersection, Straight Line,
Point, Consistent System, Inconsistent System, Independent System, Dependent System,
Graph, Coordinates, Graphical Method, Substitution Method, The Equalization Method,
To Isolate, Elimination Method, Goal.

2. OTHER TYPES OF SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS.

Up to now, we have solved systems of linear equations. However, the

substitution method and the elimination method allow us to solve other types of
systems.

Examples:
= 1
)
2 + 2 = 5

We will use the substitution method.

Solve for y in the first equation = + 1

Substitute the previous expression of y into the second equation:

2 + ( + 1)2 = 5
2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 5
2 + 2 + 2 + 1 5 = 0
1 = 1
2 2 + 2 4 = 0
2 = 2

1 = 1 1 = 2
2 = 2 2 = 1

1 = 1; 1 = 2
The solution to the system is:
2 = 2; 2 = 1

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Unit 05 January

2 + 2 = 58
) 2
2 = 40

We will use the elimination method.

If we add both equations, we get:

= 7
2 2 = 98 2 = 49 1
3 = 7

1 = 3
1 = 7 2 = 58 49 = 9
2 = 3
3 = 3
2 = 7 2 = 58 49 = 9
4 = 3

1 = 7; 1 = 3
= 7; 2 = 3
The solution to the system is: 2
3 = 7; 3 = 3
4 = 7; 4 = 3

1 1 1
+ =1
)
= 6

We start by simplifying the first equation

1
+ = + = 1

Therefore, the equivalent system that we get is:

+ = 1

= 6

If we substitute the value of xy of the second equation into the first equation, we
get:

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+ = 6 1 = 5 = 5

Finally, we substitute the previous expression of y into the second equation:

1 = 3
= 6 (5 ) = 6 5 2 = 6 2 + 5 6 = 0
2 = 2

1 = 3 = 5 3 = 2 1 = 2
2 = 2 = 5 2 = 3 2 = 3

1 = 3; 1 = 2
The solution to the system is:
2 = 2; 2 = 3

3. SYSTEMS OF INEQUATIONS.
3.1. ONE VARIABLE.

A System of Inequations is a collection of inequations involving the same set of

variables. With only one variable we can solve it using the Real Number Line. Solving a
system of inequations, means finding the values of the variables that make all the
inequations true at the same time.

Example:
2 + 4 > 0

2 + 7 3
2

The solution to 2 + 4 > 0 is the interval (2, +)

The solution to 2 + 7 3 is the interval (, +4]
2

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The solution to the system is the intersection of the intervals (2, +)and
(, +4], that is, (2, +) (, +4] = (2, +4]

3.2. TWO VARIABLES.

With two variables we can solve it using the Cartesian Plane. The solutions can
be expressed as regions of the plane delimited by a straight line. A system solution is
any pair of values that satisfies all equations at once.

MATH VOCABULARY: System of Inequations, Real Number Line, Cartesian Plane.

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