SOLVING SYSTEMS OF

LINEAR EQUATIONS BY GRAPHING

LESSON 2.1

SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES

Instructor: Ms. DANA A. FLORENDO, CPA, MM

 THE COORDINATE SYSTEM
Rectangular Coordinate System or
the Cartesian Coordinate System �-axis
B (-3, 4)
4
Every point in the coordinate plane can
be described by an ordered pair (x, y). 3

2
x-coordinate y-coordinate
1
or abscissa or ordinate
�-axis
(2, -1) -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

(-3, 4) -2 A (2, -1)

-3

-4
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS
Illustration:
Suppose a farmer owns 10 farm animals consisting of goats and ducks.
There were 26 animal legs. How many of each kind are there?

Let � = the number of goats

� = the number of ducks
Since there are 10 animals in all, equation 1: � + � = 10
Then our equation 2, for the 26 animal legs: 4� + 2� = 26
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS
Illustration:
Suppose a farmer owns 10 farm animals consisting of goats and ducks.
There were 26 animal legs. How many of each kind are there?

Let � = the number of goats These 2 equations form the

� = the number of ducks system of linear equation

Since there are 10 animals in all, equation 1: � + � = 10

Then our equation 2, for the 26 animal legs: 4� + 2� = 26
 LINEAR EQUATION IN TWO VARIABLES
A linear equation in two variables is an equation that
can be written in the form of:
�� + �� = �
Where �, �, ��� � are real numbers, but � ��� �
cannot both be zero.
� + � = 10 4� + 2� = 26
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS

§ Two or more linear equations considered

together forms a system of linear equations
§ A solution to a system of linear equations in
two variables consists of an ordered pair that
satisfies both equations.
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS
Illustration: � + � = 10 Let � = the number of goats
4� + 2� = 26 � = the number of ducks

Table simulation:
No. of No. of Total No. of Total No. of
Goats Ducks Animals Legs
5 5 10 30 = [(5*4)+(5*2)]
4 6 10 28 = [(4*4)+(6*2)]
3 7 10 26 = [(3*4)+(7*2)]
��������: (�, �)
 �
Graph of the
linear equations:

(3 , 7)

�
Possible Results Illustration Conclusion

The lines • Has one (1) solution – the

INTERSECT point of intersection
• System is consistent
• Equations are independent
Possible Results Illustration Conclusion

The lines are • Has NO solution because

PARALLEL the lines never intersect.
• System is inconsistent
Possible Results Illustration Conclusion

The lines are • Has MANY solutions

COINCIDENT represented by the totality
of points on the line
• System is consistent
• Equations are dependent
GRAPHING A SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS THAT HAS A
UNIQUE SOLUTION
Illustration 1:
Solve the system of equations by graphing:
� + 2� =− 4
2� − � = 7

Solution steps:
1. Find the solutions (�, �) for each of the equation.
2. Graph both equations using the solutions in no. 1.
3. Find the solution to which both equation intersects.
4. Check by substituting the solutions to the equations.
Illustration 1:
Solve the system of equations by graphing:
� + 2� =− 4
Solution:
2� − � = 7 1. Find the solutions (�, �) for
each of the equation.
Using the Intercept Method: a. Intercept Method
� + 2� =− 4 b. Slope Intercept Method

Find x, let y = 0 Find y, let x = 0

� + 2(0) =− 4 0 + 2� =− 4
� + 0 =− 4 2� =− 4
� =− 4 � =− 2
(-4, 0) (0, -2)
 �
Graph of 4
Solution:
3 2. Graph both equations using
(� + �� =− �)
2 the solutions in no. 1.
1
(-4,0)
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 �
�+ -1
2� (0, -2)
=− -2
4
-3

-4
 Illustration 1:
Solve the system of equations by graphing:
� + 2� =− 4
2� − � = 7 Solution:
1. Find the solutions (�, �) for
each of the equation.
Using the Slope Intercept Method: a. Intercept Method
2� − � = 7 b. Slope Intercept Method

Transform the equation into the slope-intercept � = 2� − 7

form : (� = �� + �)
�-intercept = -7
Where � = �����; b = �-intercept (�, -7)
slope = 2
 �
Graph of 4
Solution:
3 2. Graph both equations using
(�� − � = �)
2 the solutions in no. 1.
1

-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 �
-1

7
-2

�=
-3

−
2�
-4

-5

-6

-7 (0, -7)
 �
Graph of linear equations
4
� + 2� =− 4 3
2� − � = 7 2

7
�=
1
(-4,0)
�+

−
-7 -6 -52 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 �

2�
�=
−4 (0,
-1 -2)

-2

-3 (2,-3)
-4

-5

-6

-7 (0, -7)
Solution:
3. Find the solution to which
both equation intersects.
Illustration: Solution:
Solve the system of equations by graphing: 4. Check by substituting the
solutions to the equations.
� + 2� =− 4
2� − � = 7

Substitute the solutions (2, -3) to each of the equation:

� + �� =− � �� − � = �
2 + 2(−3) =− 4 2(2) − (−3) = 7
2 − 6 =− 4 4 − (−3) = 7
−4 =− 4 4+3=7
7=7
GRAPHING A SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS THAT HAS A
NO SOLUTION
Illustration 2:
Solve the system of equations by graphing:
3� + 2� =− 6
3� + 2� =− 12

Solving for the intercepts:

3� + 2� =− 6 3� + 2� =− 12
�-intercept: -2 �-intercept: -4
�-intercept: -3 �-intercept: -6
 �

(-2, 0) The lines of the 2

(-4, 0) � equations are
parallel.
Since the lines do
(0,-3)
not intersect,
there is
no solution

3�
(0, -6) in the system.

+
3�

2�
+

=−
2�

6
=−
12
GRAPHING A SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS THAT HAS A
AN INFINITE NUMBER OF SOLUTIONS
Illustration 3:
Solve the system of equations by graphing:
� − 3� = 3
2� − 6� = 6

Solving for the intercepts:

� − 3� = 3 2� − 6� = 6
�-intercept: 3 �-intercept: 3
�-intercept: -1 �-intercept: -1
 �

The intercepts of the 2

equations are exactly the same,
thus the same line/graph.
6
(3, 0) �=
2� −6
�
3 (0, -1)
3 �=
� −

The system has infinite number of solutions:

that is every point in the line is a solution to
the system.

Solution set: {(�, �) | � − 3� = 3}