a

1.2 Solving Linear Systems Algebraically j

SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS
• A system of linear equations is a set of two or more linear equations in two
variables. The graph of a system of equations is a set of lines. The solution to a -

system of equations is/are a solution common to all equations/the common

point(s) of intersection for all equations.
• In a linear system of two equations, there are three possible cases:
o Case 1: The lines intersect at exactly one point
-
▪ one solution to the system
▪ they are not parallel so they have different slopes
o Case 2: The lines do not intersect
▪ no solutions to the system
▪ they are parallel but distinct, so they have the same slope but different y-
intercepts
o Case 3: The lines intersect infinitely many times
▪ infinite solutions to the system
▪ they are coincidental (i.e. lie on top of each other) so they have the same slope
AND same y-intercepts

HOW TO SOLVE A LINEAR SYSTEM USING THE SUBSTITUTION METHOD

Step 1: Isolate one variable in either equation.
-
Step 2: Then substitute that into the other linear equation.
Step 3: Solve this, and you have one coordinate of the solution (ordered pair).
Step 4: Then substitute that value into either equation and solve for the remaining
variable to find the other coordinate.

Example 1: Solve the system using substitution. Then verify your answer.
·
label each equation
⑪
3x + 2y = 16 ·
State the steps/process and relabel Check if (2 5)
,
lies on both lines .

② 7x + y = 19 must do checks *
* If there are G equations you ,
a

& to isolate for 16

Rearrange y
:
3x
2y
+
=

③ 19-7x
y RS 16
=

1S 3x
2y
=
= +

sub into ① for

y =

3(z) 2(3) +

① 3x +

2
y
=
13
=
6 10
2(19-7X)
+

3x +
=

16
to =14
3x + 38-14x =

16
IS =

RS
-
11X =
-
22

2
sub x =

2 into ②
TX +
y
=

19 · (2 5)
.
is a valid
* You should
always POI
② TX +y 19
1S RS 19
original
=

substitute into 7x
=

y
=

7(2) y 19 equations
*

7(2) (5)
=
+

⑮S
+

14 5
=

19 IS RS
=

=
 HOW TO SOLVE A LINEAR SYSTEM USING THE ELIMINATION METHOD
Step 1: Rearrange equations so that like terms are aligned vertically.
-
Step 2: If needed, multiply one or both equations by a constant so that one pair of like
terms in both equations have either the same or opposite coefficients.
Step 3: Add (or subtract) a multiple of one equation to (or from) the other equation, in
such a way that either the x-terms or the y-terms cancel out.
Step 4: Then solve for x (or y, whichever's left) and substitute back to get the other
coordinate.

Example 2: Solve the system using elimination. Then verify your answers.
· Label equations .

Check it (1.-2) lies on both lines

⑪
.

4x +3y = -2
② 8x -2y = 12
check If (1 -2) lies
, on both lines
Multiply ① by 2

③ 8x 4 (S 4x
=

+
34 RS = -
2
by
=
+ -

to eliminate x
subtract & =

4(D 3(2) +

③ 8x +

by
=
-

4
= 4 4 -

-
②
8X-2y =

12
= -
G
8y = - 16
LS= RS
*abigs integration
2
y
=

equation &
.

substitute into
y a 1S 8x
-hy RS 17
=- =
=

12
8X-2y
=

8(1) 2( 2) -
-

8x -

x( 2) -
=
12
8 4
=

8x +
4 =

12
=12 IS = RS
8X =

↳X 1 =

· : (1 -2) is
,
the POI .

Another Solving Linear Systems Example

Solve algebraically (i.e. using either the substitution or elimination)
I 4𝑞 = 12 − 6𝑟 (1)
mental math Tip :

25t1)
9𝑟 − 18 = −6𝑞 (2)
24 9)
2

Rearrange equations in order for variables to overlap .

2 x 19 =
+

2x19 =

① 6 12
-

4q 18
20
- =

40
=

2
+ =
-

②) qr -18 = -

6q
⑳ x 336r
=

38 =

38
k
4q
7(30
=

8)
-
-

7 38
7(40 2)
= +

7 38
+

③ 0 to eliminate q + = -
+

③ 6r 12 4q =
=

210 +
56
280-14
-
-

① -6 12
49
=

264
+

0 =
0
=

266
:
There are infitite solutions .

Important
Afte :

If there are no solutions all variables

,

would be eliminated .

You would be left with a false statement .

=y =
3x + 7

& y 3x 10 =

①-D to eliminate y
Of-3