COLEGIO DE SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

De La Salle Supervised School
Guinsay, Danao City
S.Y. 2023-2024

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 Introduction
Welcome to the world of Algebra! Algebra is the foundation of
modern mathematics, a powerful tool that helps us solve a wide
range of real-world problems and explore the fundamental
relationships that govern our universe. At the heart of algebra lies
the concept of linear equations and inequalities.

In this module, we will embark on a journey to explore the elegant simplicity and profound
significance of linear equations and inequalities. From solving basic equations to unraveling
complex systems of linear equations, and from understanding the fundamental principles of
inequalities to applying them in various scenarios, this module will equip you with the
knowledge and skills to master one of the most essential branches of algebra.

Lesson 1: Solving Systems of Linear Equations

in Two Variables

System of Linear Equations

A system of linear equations is two or more linear equations that are being solved
simultaneously.

Solution of a System

A solution of a system in two variables is a pair of numbers that satisfies all the
equations in the system.
Example:{ is a system whose solution is the pair ( )
In other words, it is where the two graphs intersect, what they have in common. So if an
ordered pair is a solution to one equation, but not the other, then it is NOT a solution to the
system.

A consistent system is a system that has at least one solution.

An inconsistent system is a system that has no solution.
The equations of a system are dependent if ALL the solutions of one equation are also
solutions of the other equation. In other words, they end up being the same line.

The equations of a system are independent if they do not share ALL solutions. They can
have one point in common, just not all of them.

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There are three possible outcomes that you may encounter when working with these systems:

one solution
no solution
infinite solutions

One Solution
If the system in two variables has one solution, it is an ordered pair that is a solution to
BOTH equations. In other words, when you plug in the values of the ordered pair it makes
BOTH equations TRUE.
The graph below illustrates a system of two equations and two unknowns that has one solution:

No Solution

If the two lines are parallel to each other, they will never intersect. This means they do not have
any points in common. In this situation, you would have no solution.
The graph below illustrates a system of two equations and two unknowns that has no solution:

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 Infinite Solutions
If the two lines end up lying on top of each other, then there is an infinite number of
solutions. In this situation, they would end up being the same line, so any solution that would
work in one equation is going to work in the other.

The graph below illustrates a system of two equations and two unknowns that has an infinite
number of solutions:

Three Ways to Solve Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

There are three ways to solve systems of linear equations in two variables:

Graphing
Substitution method
Elimination method

Solve by Graphing
Step 1: Graph the first equation
Step 2: Graph the second equation on the same coordinate system as the first.
Step 3: Find the solution.
If the two lines intersect at one place, then the point of intersection is the solution
to the system.
If the two lines are parallel, then they never intersect, so there is no solution.
If the two lines lie on top of each other, then they are the same line and you have
an infinite number of solutions.. In this case you can write down either equation as the
solution to indicate they are the same line.
Step 4: Check the proposed ordered pair solution in BOTH equations.
You can plug in the proposed solution into BOTH equations. If it makes BOTH
equations true then you have your solution to the system.

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 If it makes at least one of them false, you need to go back and redo the problem.

Example 1: Solve the system of equations by graphing

Step 1 Graph the first equation

x-intercept

*Plug in 0 for y to find the x-intercept

The x-intercept is ( )
y-intercept

*Plug in 0 for x to find the y-intercept

The y-intercept is ( )
Find another solution by letting

*Plug in 1 for x
Another solution is ( )
Solutions: ( )( )( )
Plotting the ordered pair solutions and drawing the line:

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Step 2 Graph the second equation on the same coordinate system as the first
x-intercept

*Plug in 0 for y to find the x-intercept

The x-intercept is ( )
y-intercept

*Plug in 0 for x to find the y-intercept

The y-intercept is ( )

Find another solution by letting

*Plug in 2 for x
Another solution is ( )
Solutions: ( )( )( )
Plotting the ordered pair solutions and drawing the line:

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Step 3 Find the solution
We need to ask ourselves, is there any place that the two lines intersect, and if so, where?
The answer is yes, they intersect at ( )
Step 4 Check the proposed ordered pair solution in BOTH equations.
You will find that if you plug the ordered pair ( ) into BOTH equations of the original
system, that this is a solution to BOTH of them.
The solution to this system is ( ).

Solve by the Substitution Method

Step 1: Simplify if needed.
This would involve things like removing ( ) and removing fractions.

To remove ( ): just use the distributive property.

To remove fractions: since fractions are another way to write division, and the
inverse of divide is to multiply, you remove fractions by multiplying both sides by
the LCD of all of your fractions.

Step 2: Solve one equation for either variable.

It doesn't matter which equation you use or which variable you choose to solve for.

You want to make it as simple as possible. If one of the equations is already

solved for one of the variables, that is a quick and easy way to go.

If you need to solve for a variable, then try to pick one that has a 1 as a coefficient.
That way when you go to solve for it, you won't have to divide by a number and
run the risk of having to work with a fraction

Step 3: Substitute what you get for step 2 into the other equation.

This is why it is called the substitution method. Make sure that you substitute the
expression into the OTHER equation, the one you didn't use in step 2.

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 This will give you one equation with one unknown.

Step 4: Solve for the remaining variable.

Solve the equation set up in step 3 for the variable that is left.
Step 5: Solve for second variable.
If you come up with a value for the variable in step 4, that means the two equations
have one solution. Plug the value found in step 4 into any of the equations in the
problem and solves for the other variable.
If your variable drops out and you have a FALSE statement that means your
answer is no solution.

If your variable drops out and you have a TRUE statement that means your answer
is infinite solutions, which would be the equation of the line.
Step 6: Check the proposed ordered pair solution in BOTH original equations.
You can plug in the proposed solution into BOTH equations. If it makes BOTH
equations true, then you have your solution to the system.

If it makes at least one of them false, you need to go back and redo the problem.

Example 2: Solve the system of equations by substitution method.

Step 1: Simplify if needed.

Both of these equations are already simplified. No work needs to be done here.

Step 2: Solve one equation for either variable.

Note how the second equation is already solved for y. We can use that one for this step.
It does not matter which equation or which variable you choose to solve for. But it is to your
advantage to keep it as simple as possible.
Second equation solved for y:

Step 3: Substitute what you get for the step 2 into the other equation

Step 4: Solve for the remaining variable

. Substitute the expression for y into the first equation and solve for x:

(when you plug in an expression like this, it is just like you plug in a number for your variable)

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 ( )

Step 5: Solve for the second variable

Plug in -5 for x into the equation in step 2 to find y’s value.

( )

Step 6: Check the proposed ordered pair solution in both original equations.

You will find that if you plug the ordered pair (-5, -6) into BOTH equations of the original
system, that this is a solution to both of them.

(-5, -6) is a solution to our system.

Solve by the Elimination Method

This method is also known as the addition or the elimination by addition method.
Step 1: Simplify and put both equations in the form Ax + By = C if needed.

This would involve things like removing ( ) and removing fractions.

To remove ( ): just use the distributive property.
To remove fractions: since fractions are another way to write division, and the inverse of
divide is to multiply, you remove fractions by multiplying both sides by the LCD of all
of your fractions.

Step 2: Multiply one or both equations by a number that will create opposite
coefficients for either x or y if needed.

Looking ahead, we will be adding these two equations together. In that process, we need
to make sure that one of the variables drops out, leaving us with one equation and one
unknown. The only way we can guarantee that is if we are adding opposites. The sum of
opposites is 0.

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 If neither variable drops out, then we are stuck with an equation with two unknowns
which is unsolvable.

It doesn't matter which variable you choose to drop out. You want to keep it as simple as
possible. If a variable already has opposite coefficients than go right to adding the two
equations together. If they don't, you need to multiply one or both equations by a number
that will create opposite coefficients in one of your variables. You can think of it like a
LCD. Think about what number the original coefficients both go into and multiply each
separate equation accordingly. Make sure that one variable is positive and the other is
negative before you add.

For example, if you had a 2x in one equation and a 3x in another equation, we could
multiply the first equation by 3 and get 6x and the second equation by -2 to get a -6x. So
when you go to add these two together they will drop out.

Step 3: Add equations.

Add the two equations together.

The variable that has the opposite coefficients will drop out in this step and you will be
left with one equation with one unknown.

Step 4: Solve for remaining variable.

Solve the equation found in step 3 for the variable that is left.
If both variables drop out and you have a FALSE statement that means your answer is no
solution.
If both variables drop out and you have a TRUE statement that means your answer is
infinite solutions, which would be the equation of the line.

Step 5: Solve for second variable.

If you come up with a value for the variable in step 4, that means the two equations have
one solution. Plug the value found in step 4 into any of the equations in the problem and
solve for the other variable.

Step 6: Check the proposed ordered pair solution in BOTH original equations.

You can plug the proposed solution into BOTH equations. If it makes BOTH equations
true, then you have your solution to the system.
If it makes at least one of them false, you need to go back and redo the problem.

Example 3: Solve the system of equations by the elimination method.

{

Step 1: Simplify and put both equations in the form if needed.

This problem is already simplified. However, the second equation is not written in the form
In other words, we need to write it in this form so everything is lined up ready
to go when we add the two equations together.

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Rewriting the second equation we get:

Step 2: Multiply one or both equations by a number that will create opposite coefficients for
either x or y if needed.
Note that if we multiply the first equation by 2, then we will have a -6x which is the opposite of
the 6x found in the second equation.
Multiplying the first equation by 2 we get:
( )( ) ( )
{

Step 3: Add equations

_________________

Step 4: Solve for remaining variable

As mentioned above, if the variable drops out AND we have a TRUE statement, then when
have an infinite number of solutions. They end up being the same line.
Step 5: Solve for second variable
There is no value to plug in here.
Step 6: Check the proposed ordered pair solution in both original equations.
There is no value to plug in here.
When they end up being the same equation, you have an infinite number of solutions. You can
write up your answer by writing out either equation to indicate that they are the same equation
Two ways to write the answer are *( ) + *( ) +

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be
established.

Reference:
https://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/int_algebra/int_alg_tut19_systwo.ht
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