4.3.4 Journal: Two-Variable Systems: Journal

Elimination
Mathematics I
Name:  
Date:  

Scenario: The Talent Show

Instructions:

View the video found on page 1 of this Journal activity.

Using the information provided in the video, answer the questions below.

Show your work for all calculations

Here is a summary of the scenario your classmate presented for the talent show:

Main show The main show will last two hours and will include twelve
individual acts and six group acts.

Final show The final show will last 30 minutes and will include the top four
individual acts and the top group act.

The equations he came up with are:

12x + 6y = 120
4x + y = 30

1. What do x and y represent in this situation? (2 points: 1 point for each variable)

X: The time each individual performance takes

Y: The time each group performance takes

2. Do you agree that your classmate set up the equations correctly? Explain why or
why not. (2 points: 1 point for yes/no answer, 1 for explanation)

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 No, I don't because the title does not tell us whether the time
for the main show and the final show, individual or group
performances are the same

3. To combine the equations and solve for one of the variables, you need to eliminate
the other variable. How can you change one equation so that one variable is
eliminated when the two equations are added? Explain and write the new equation. (3
points: 2 for your explanation and 1 for the equation)

Multiply both numbers by 3

so that both equations have
the same x value
12x+6y=120 12x+6y=120
12x+6y=120
3*4x+3*y=3*30 12x+3y=90
4x+y=30
So we can subtract the x
the new equation values of the two
equations

4. Combine the two equations to eliminate one of the variables, and then solve for the
other. (3 points: 1 for eliminating one variable, 1 for the answer, and 1 for showing
your work)

3Y=30
Y=10

Subtracted value
Y value

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5. Solve for the other variable. (2 points: 1 point for the answer, 1 for showing the
work)

12x+6*10=120
12x=60
x=5

6. Prove that your solutions are correct by substituting the values back into the
original equations and verifying the answers. (2 points)

12*5+6*10=120 So it's right

Another way to check your answer is with graphing. The two equations are graphed
below.

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7. What are the coordinates of the intersection point? Does this match your answer
from question 4? (2 points: 1 point each question)

(5,10) Yes, it does

8. Answer the original questions. (2 points: 1 point each question)

a) How long is each individual act?

5min

b) How long is each group act?

10min

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9. Discussion.
Discuss the reasonableness of your answers. (2 points: 1 point for each part)

a) Is the answer you found reasonable? Does it seem like enough time?

Yes, I think it's enough.

b) Would a negative solution such as (–5, –10) be acceptable in this situation?

Why or why not?

Unacceptable because time cannot be negative

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