Digital Lesson

Solving Two-Variable
Systems of Linear Equations
 A set of linear equations in two variables is called
a system of linear equations.
3x + 2y = 14
2x + 5y = 3
A solution of such a system is an ordered pair which is a solution
of each equation in the system.

Example: The ordered pair (4, 1) is a solution of the system since

3(4) + 2(1) = 14 and 2(4) – 5(1) = 3.

Example: The ordered pair (0, 7) is not a solution of the system

since
3(0) + 2(7) = 14 but 2(0) – 5(7) = – 35, not 3.

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 Systems of linear equations in two variables have either
no solutions, one solution, or infinitely many solutions.
y y y

x x x

unique solution infinitely many no solutions

solutions

A system of equations with at least one solution is consistent.

A system with no solutions is inconsistent.

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 To solve the system x – y = –1 by the graphing
2x + y = 4
method, graph both equations and determine where the
graphs intersect. y

(1, 2)
x – y = –1
x
2x + y = 4

The ordered pair (1, 2) is the unique solution.

The system is consistent since it has solutions.

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 Example: Solve the system x – 2y = – 4 by the
graphing method. 3x – 6y = 6

x – 2y = – 4

3x – 6y = 6

The lines are parallel and have no point of intersection.

The system has no solutions and is inconsistent.

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 Example: Solve the system x – 2y = – 4 by the graphing
3x – 6y = – 12
method.

3xx –– 6y
2y == –– 12
4

The graphs of the two equations are the same line and the
intersection points are all the points on this line.
The system has infinitely many solutions.

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 To solve a system by the substitution method:

1. Select an equation and solve for one variable in

terms of the other.
2. Substitute the expression resulting from Step 1 into
the other equation to produce an equation in one
variable.
3. Solve the equation produced in Step 2.
4. Substitute the value for the variable obtained in
Step 3 into the expression obtained in Step 2.
5. Check the solution.

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 Example: Solve the system 2x + y = 8 by the substitution
x – 3y = – 3
method.

1. From the second equation obtain x = 3y – 3.

2. Substitute this expression for x into the first equation.

2(3y –3) + y = 8

3. Solve for y to obtain y = 2.

4. Substitute 2 for y in x = 3y – 3 and conclude x = 3.

The solution is (3, 2).
2(3) – (2) = 8
5. Check:
(3) – 3(2) = –3

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 2x – y = 10
Example: Solve the system by the substitution
method. 4x – 2y = 8

1. From the first equation obtain y = 2x – 10.

2. Substitute 2x – 10 for y into the second equation to produce

4x – 2(2x – 10) = 8.

3. Attempt to solve for x.

4x – 2(2x – 10) = 8
4x – 4x + 20 = 8
20 = 8 False statement
Because there are no values of x and y for which 20 equals 8, this
system has no solutions.

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 To solve a system by the addition (or elimination) method:

1. Multiply either or both equations by nonzero

constants to obtain opposite coefficients for one of
the variables in the system.

2. Add the equations to produce an equation in

one variable. Solve this equation.

3. Substitute the value of the variable found in Step 2

into either of the original equations to obtain another
equation in one variable. Solve this equation.

4. Check the solution.

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 Example: Solve the system 5x + 2y = 11 by the addition
method. 3x + 4y = 15

1. Multiply the first equation by –2 to – 10 x – 4y = – 22

make the coefficients of y opposites. 3x + 4y = 15

2. Add the equations to obtain – 7x = –7.

Therefore x = 1.
3. Substitute 1 for x in the first equation to produce
5(1) + 2y = 11
2y = 6
Therefore y = 3. The solution is (1, 3).
4. Check: 5(1) + 2(3) = 11
3(1) + 4(3) = 15
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