Algebra Honors ( Periods 6 & 7)

Solving Systems of Linear Equations
The Graphing Method 9-1
Two or more equations in the same variables form a system of equations. The solution of a system of two equations in two variables is a pair of values x and y that satisfies each equation in the system. The point corresponding to the ordered pair (x, y) must lie on the graph of both equations.
Solve the system by graphing
2x - y = 8
x + y = 1

Solution:
Graph both 2x - 7 = 8 and x + y = 1 in the same coordinate plane.
We did this in class by transforming both equations to slope-intercept form (y = mx +b)
and then graphed them. We noticed that the only point on BOTH lines is the intersection point ( 3, -2)
The only solution of both equations is (3, -2).
You can check that ( 3, -2) is a solution fof the system by substituting x = 3 and y = -2 in BOTH eqquations.

Solve the system by graphing
x - 2y = -6
x -2y = 2

When you graph the equations in the same coordinate plane, you see that the lines have the same slope but different y-intercepts. The graphs are parallel lines. SInce the lines do not intersect, there is no point that represents a solution of both equations.
Therefore, the system has NO SOLUTION.

Solve the system by graphing
2x + 3y = 6
4x + 6y = 12

When you graph the equations in the same coordinate plane, you see that the graphs coincide. The equations are equivalent. Every point on the line represents a solution of BOTH equations.
Therefore, the system has infinitely many solutions.

The Graphing Method in review:
To solve a system of linear equations in two variables, draw the graph of each linear equation in the same coordinate plane...
--> if the lines interset there is only one solutions, namely the intersection point.
--> if the lines are parallel, there is no solution
--> if the lines coincide, there are infinitely many solutions.

The Substitution Method 9-2

There are several ways to solve a system of equations, In the substitution method we use either equation to solve for one variable in terms of the other.
Solve
x + y = 15
4x + 3y = 38

Solve the first equation for y
x + y = 15
becomes
y = -x + 15
Substitute this expression for y in the other equation, and solve for x
4x + 3y = 38
4x + 3(-x+15) = 38
4x -3x + 45 = 38
x + 45 = 38
x = -7

Substitute the value of x in the equation in your first step and solve for y
y = -x + 15
y = -(-7) + 15
y = +7 +15
y = 22
CHeck x = -7 and y = 22 on BOTH equations
x + y = 15
(Here let ?=? represent having a ? above the equals sign)

-7 + 22 ?=? 15
15 = 15
and
4x + 3y = 38
4(-7) + 3(22) ?=? 38
-28 + 66 ?=? 38
38 = 38

It checks for both equations so the solution is (-7, 22)

Solve
2x - 3y = 4
x + 4y = -9

Using the 2nd equation is easier to manipulate so solve for x since x has a coefficient of 1
x = -4y - 9
substitute this expression for x in the other equation and solve for y
2x - 3y = 4
2(-4y-9) - 3y = 4
-8y -18 -3y = 4
-11y = 22
y = -2
Substitute the value of y in the equation in step 1 and solve for x
x = -4y -9
x = -4(-2) -9
x = 8 -9 = -1
Check both equations... and you discover that the solution is ( -1, -2)

The substitution method is most convenient to use when the coefficient of one of the variables is 1 or -1.

The Substitution Method in review:
To solve a system of linear equations in two variables:
--> Solve one equation for one of the variables
--> Substitute this expression in the other equation and solve fore the other variable.
--> Substitute this value n the equation in step 1 and solve
--> Check the alues in BOTH equations.


Solve by the substitution method
2x -8y = 6
x - 4y = 8

x = 4y + 8

2x-8y = 6
2(4y+8) - 8y = 6
8y + 16 -8y = 6
16= 6 WAIT that's FALSE

The false statement indicates that there is NO ordered pair (x, y) that satisfies BOTH equations. If you had graphed the equations you would see that these lines are actually parallel.

Solve by substitution method
y/2 = 2 -x
6x + 3y = 12

The first equation is easy to change to y = 4 - 2x by multiplying both sides by 2 to solve for y

6x + 3y = 12
6x + 3(4-2x) = 12
6x + 12 - 6x = 12
12 = 12 WAIT THat's TRUE... always
Every ordered pair (x, y) that satisfies one of the equations aso satisfies the other. IF you graph these two equations you will see that the lines coincide

Therefore, the system has infinitely many solutions.