MATH103

Mathematics for Business and

Economics - I
Chapter 3 - Lines, Parabolas, and
Systems
 Section 3-1 - Lines

Many relationships between quantities can be represent conveniently

by straight lines.
The slope of a nonvertical line that passes through the points P(x1, y1)
and Q(x2, y2) is denoted by m and is defined by

vertical change y
m
Horizontal change y2
Q(x2, y2)

y2  y1 Vertical
 . P(x1, y1)
Change
x2  x1 y1

x1 x2 x
Horizontal
Change
 Vertical and Horizontal Lines
Either the “rise” or “run” could be zero
y

m is undefined

m (slope) is positive

m=0

m (slope) is negative

x
 EXAMPLE 1 Finding and Interpreting the Slope of a Line

Find and interpret the slope of the line that passes through the
points P(1, –1) and Q(3, 3).
Solution P(1, –1) and Q(3, 3)
change in y -coordinates y2  y1
m 
change in x-coordinates x2  x1


 3   1 3  1 4
  2
3  1 3 1 2
Interpretation
The slope of this line is 2; this means that the value of y increases by
exactly 2 units for every increase of 1 unit in the value of x. The graph is a
straight line rising by 2 units for every one unit we go to the right.
EXAMPLE 2 Finding and Interpreting the Slope of a Line
EXAMPLE 3 Finding and Interpreting the Slope of a Line
 EXAMPLE 1 Finding an Equation of a Line with Given Point and Slope

EXAMPLE 2 Finding an Equation of a Line with Given Point and Slope

Find the point–slope form of the equation of the line passing through the
point (1, –2) and with slope m = 3. Then solve for y.
Solution
We have x1 = 1, y1 = –2, and m = 3. y  y1  m x  x1 
y  2   3x  1
y  2  3x  3
y  3x  5
 EXAMPLE 3 Finding an Equation of a Line with Given Point and Slope

Find the equation of a line that passes through the point (1,-3)
with slope of 2
 EXAMPLE 4 Finding an Equation of a Line Passing Through Two Given Points

Find the point–slope form of the equation of the line l passing

through the points (–2, 1) and (3, 7). Then solve for y.
Solution
7 1 6 6
First, find the slope. m   
3  2  3  2 5
We have x1 = 3, y1 = 7.
y  y1  m x  x1 
6
y  7  x  3
5
6 18
y7 x
5 5
6 17
y x
5 5
 EXAMPLE 5 Finding an Equation of a Line with two Given Points

Find the equation of the line through the points (-5,7) and (4,16).
Solution:

16  7 9
m  1
4  (5) 9

Now use the point-slope form with m = 1 and (x1, x2) = (4,16). (We could just as well
have used (-5,7)).
y  16  1( x  4)
y  x  4  16  x  12
 SLOPE–INTERCEPT FORM OF THE
EQUATION OF A LINE
The slope-intercept form of the equation of the line with
slope m and y-intercept b is
y  mx  b.

EXAMPLE 1 Slope – Intercept Form

EXAMPLE 2 Find the Slope and y-intercept of a line
 Section 3-2
Applications and Linear Functions
 EXAMPLE 1 Finding a Demand Equation
Suppose that the quantity demanded per week for a product is 100 units when the
price is $58 per unit and the quantity demanded per week is 200 units when the
price is $51 per unit. Find the demand equation assuming that it is linear
 EXAMPLE 2 Diet for Hens

In testing an experimental diet for hens, it was determined that the average live
weight w (in grams) of a hen was statistically a linear function of the number of
days d after the diet began, where 0 ≤ d ≤ 50. Suppose the average weight of a
hen beginning the diet was 40 grams and 25 days later it was 675 grams
(a) Determine w as a linear function of d and
(b) Find the average weight of a hen when d = 10.
Example
EXAMPLE 3

A business copier repair company charges a fixed amount plus an

hourly rate for service. If a customer is billed $159 for a one-hour
service call and $287 for a three hour service call, find the linear
function that describes the price of a service call when x is the
number of hours of service
Solution

We need to find the equation for a line of the form; y=mx+b

We know two points on the line: (1,159) and (3,287)
So, m = (287 – 159)/(3 – 1) = 64
Use point-slope approach to find the line
◦ (y – y1) = 64(x – x1)
◦ y = 287 – 64(3) + 65x
◦ y = 95 + 64x
 EXAMPLE 4 Finding a Demand Equation

Example : Suppose consumer will demand 40 units of a Product

when the price is $12 per unit and 25 units when The price is
$18 each. Find the demand equation Assuming that is linear.
Find the price per unit when 30 units are demanded
Solution: 
The Points are: ( x1 , y1 ) = (40,12) , and ( x2 , y2 ) =(25,18)
Slope Formula: x represent q and y represent p
y2 - y1 18  12 2
m  
x2 - x1 25  40 5
Hence an equation of the line is
2
p  12    q  40 
5
2q
p  28
5
 2
When q=30  P   .30  28  12  28  16
5

Graph of the demand equation

p intercept q=0 then p=28,
Q intercept p=0 then q=70

P
28 2
P   q  28
5

70 Q
EXAMPLE 5 Finding a Demand Equation
 EXAMPLE 6 Finding a Supply Equation

Suppose a manufacturer of shoes will place on the

market 50 (thousand pairs) when the price is 35 (dollars per
pair) and 35 when the price is 30. Find the supply equation,
assuming that price p and quantity q are linearly related
Solution:The Points are:( x1 , y1 ) =(50,35), and( x2 , y2 )
=(35,30)
Slope Formula: x represent q and y represent p
p2  p1 30  35 1
m  
q2  q1 35  50 3

Hence the equation of the line is

1 1 55
p  35   q  50   q 
3 3 3
EXAMPLE 7 Finding a Supply Equation
 EXAMPLE 8 Finding a Cost Equation

Example: Suppose the cost to produce 10 units of a product is

$40 and the cost of 20 units is $ 70. If cost c is linearly related to
output q, find a linear equation relating c and q. Find the cost to
produce 35 units.

Solution:The line passing through (10,40) and (20,70) has slope

70  40
m 3
20  10

So an equation for the line is: c  40  3  q  10 

 3q  10
If q=35 then c=3(35)+10=115
 EXAMPLE 9 Finding an Equation

Example:(Management) Assume that the sales of a certain

automobile parts company are approximated by a linear equation.
Suppose that sales were $200000 in 1985 and $1000000 in 1992.
(a) Find the equation giving the company’s yearly sales.
(b) Use this equation to approximate the sales in 1996.
(c) The company wants to negotiate a new contract once sales
reach $2000000.
Solution.
(a) When x =1985, y = 200000, and when x = 1992,
y = 1000000. These values give the ordered pairs(1985, 200000) and
(7, 1000000).
EXAMPLE 10 Finding an Equation
Extended Application: Linear Depreciation
Most business expenses can be deducted the same
year they occur. One exception to this is the cost of
property that has a useful life of more than 1 year,
such as buildings, cars, or equipment. Such costs
must be depreciated over the useful life of the
property. If the same amount is depreciated each
year, the procedure is called linear depreciation or
straight-line depreciation. The book value is the
difference between the original value and the total
amount of depreciation accumulated to date.
 EXAMPLE 10 Finding an Equation

Office equipment was purchased for $20,000 and will have a

scrap value of $2,000 after 10 years. If its value is depreciated
linearly, find the linear equation that relates value (V) in dollars
to time (t) in years:

Solution: When t = 0, V = 20,000 and when t = 10, V = 2,000.

Thus, we have two ordered pairs (0, 20,000) and (10, 2000).
We find the slope of the line using the slope formula.
The y intercept is already known
The slope is (2000-20,000)/(10 – 0) = -1,800.
when t = 0, V = 20,000, so the y intercept is b=20,000
Therefore, by slope-intercept form(y=mx+b)
equation is V(t) = - 1,800t + 20,000.
 Section 3-2 Aplications of Quadratic Functions
Quadratic functions can be used to describe supply and
demand curves, profit, revenue, and cost as well as other
situations. Quadratic functions can be written in the form

f ( x)  ax 2  bx  c

Often we are asked to maximize or minimize in these

situations. Remember that the maximum or minimum value of a
quadratic function occurs at the vertex and the value of x is
when the maximum or minimum occurs. The vertex is the point
 b  b  
 2a , f  
  2a  
EXAMPLE 1 Maximum Revenue
 3.4 System of Linear Equations
System of two linear equations in two variables can be represented
as a xb y  c
1 1 1

a2 x  b 2 y  c2
where a1 , b 1 , c1 , a2 , b 2 , c2  R

A solution of a system of equations in two variables x and y is an

ordered pair of numbers (x,y), all resulting equations in the system are
true.
The solution set of a system of equations is the set of all solutions of
the system.

There are 3 ways of solving system of linear equations

1) Graphical method
2) Substitution method
3) Elimination method
 EXAMPLE 1 Verifying a Solution

Verify that the ordered pair (3, 1) is the solution

2x  y  5
of the system of linear equations 
 x  2y  5
Solution
Replace x by 3 and y by 1.
2x  y  5 x  2y  5
2 3  1  5 3  2 1  5
6 1 5 P 3 2  5 P
(3, 1) satisfies both equations, so it is the solution.
 1) Solving Systems by Graphing
• Solution of the system of linear equations – any
ordered pair in a system that makes all equations
true.
• When we graph a system of two linear equations in two
variables, one of the following three outcomes will occur.
i) Graphs intersect at one point.
The system is consistent and has one solution. Since
neither equation is a multiple of the other, they are
independent.
 EXAMPLE 1 Solving a System by the Graphical Method

Use the graphical method to solve the system

2x  y  4 (1)
equations 
2x  3y  12 (2)
Solution
Step 1 Graph both equations on the same
coordinate axes.
Find the x- and y-intercepts and graph.
Set x = 0 in 2x – y = 4 and solve for y: y = –4
Set y = 0 in 2x – y = 4 and solve for x: x = 2
Set x = 0 in 2x + 3y = 12 and solve for y: y = 4
Set y = 0 in 2x + 3y = 12 and solve for x: x = 6
Step 2 Find the point(s) of
intersection of the two
graphs.
The point of intersection for the
two graphs is (3, 2).

Step 3 Check your solution(s).

Replace x by 3 and y by 2.
2x  y  4 2x  3y  12
2 3  2  4 2 3  32   12
62 4 6  6  12
Yes Yes

Step 4 Write the solution set for the system.

The solution set is {(3, 2)}.
ii) Graphs are parallel.
When two lines are parallel, there are no points of
Intersection. The system is inconsistent because
there is no solution. Since the equations are not
equivalent, they are independent.
 Systems with No Solutions
• Solve by graphing. y = -2x + 1
y = -2x – 1

y = -2x - 1

y = -2x + 1

The lines are parallel, so there is no solution.

iii) Equations have the same graph.
The system is consistent and has an infinite
number of solutions. The equations are
dependent since they are equivalent.
 Systems with Infinitely Many Solutions
• Solve by graphing. 2x + 4y = 8
1
y  x2
2

1 2x + 4y = 8
y  x2
2

The graphs are the same line. There are infinitely many solutions.
 Numbers of Solutions of Systems of Linear
Equations
• Different slopes – the lines intersect, so there is one
solution.

• Same slope, different y-intercepts – the lines are

parallel, so there are no solutions.

• Same slope, same y-intercept – the lines are the

same so there are infinitely many solutions.
• Solve by graphing. Check your solution.

1. y = x + 2 2. y = 1
y = -2x + 2 y=x

• Graph each system. Tell whether the system has

one solution, no solution, or infinitely many
solutions.
3. y = 2x 4. y = -3x + 1
y = 2x – 5 y = 3x + 7
2) Solving Systems Using Substitution
Another method for solving systems of equations is the
substitution method.
Step 1. Solve for one variable. Choose one of the
equations, and express one of the variables in terms
of the other variable.
Step 2. Substitute. Substitute the expression obtained in
Step 1 into the other equation to obtain an equation
in one variable.
Step 3. Solve the equation obtained in Step 2.
Step 4. Back-substitute. Substitute the value(s) you
obtained in Step 3 back into the expression you
found in Step 1. This gives the solutions.
Step 5. Check. Check your answer(s) in the original
equation.
 EXAMPLE 1 Solve by substitution

Solve by substitution . 3x−2y=−1

x+y= 3
Step1. Let's solve for x in the second equation: x+y=3
Subtract y from both sides x=3−y
Step2.

Step3. Solve this equation for y

Step4.

Step5. Check your result !!!!

 EXAMPLE 2 Solve by substitution
Solve using the substitution method.
3y + 2x = 4
-6x + y = -7
Solution:
Step 1–Solve the second equation for y because it has a coefficient of 1.
-6x + y = -7
y = 6x – 7
Step 2–Write an equation containing only one variable and solve.
3y + 2x = 4
3(6x – 7) + 2x = 4
18x – 21 + 2x = 4
20x – 21 = 4
20x = 25  x = 1.25
Step 3 - Solve for the other variable in either equation.
-6(1.25) + y = -7
-7.5 + y = -7  y = 0.5
Since x = 1.25 and y = 0.5, the solution is (1.25 , 0.5).
EXAMPLE 3 Solve by substitution

Solve by substitution 3x+2y=11

y=x+3
Solution:
1. They have already solve for y in the second equation. So
say "thank you" and proceed.
2. Now substitute x+3 in the place of y in the first equation.
3x+2(x+3)=11
3. Solve this equation:
Remove parentheses: 3x+2x+6=11
Collect like terms: 5x+6=11
Subtract 6 from both sides 5x=5
Divide both sides by 5
4. Now substitute back into the equation from part 1:
y=1+3=4
So the solution to the system is (1,4)
 EXAMPLE 4 Solve by substitution

Solve by substitution x=2y−3

2x−3y=−5
Solution:
1. They have already solve for x in the first equation. So say
"thank you" and proceed.
2. Now substitute 2y−3 in the place of x in the second equation.
2(2y−3)−3y=−5
3. Solve this equation: 4y−6−3y=−5
y−6=−5
y=1
4. Now substitute back into the equation from part 1:
x=2(1)−3=−1
So the solution to the system is (−1,1)
 EXAMPLE 5 Solve by substitution

Solve by substitution y=2−3x

6x+2y=7
Solution:
1. They have already solve for y in the first equation. So say
"thank you" and proceed.
2. Now substitute 2−3x in the place of y in the second equation.
6x+2(2−3x)=7
3. Solve this equation:
6x+4−6x=7
4=7
This is called a contradiction.
So there is no solution. The system is inconsistent.
EXAMPLE 6 Solve by substitution

Solve by substitution 3x+4y=18

2x−y=1
Solution:
1. Let's solve for y in the second equation: y=2x−1
2. Now substitute 2x−1 in the place of y in the first
equation. 3x+4(2x−1)=18
3. Solve this equation: 3x+8x−4=18
11x=22
x=2
4. Now substitute back into the equation y=2x−1 from
part 1:
y=3
So the solution to the system is (2,3)
 EXAMPLE 7 Solve by substitution

Solve by substitution 3x+y=4

9x+3y=12
Solution:
1. Let's solve for y in the first equation:
y=4−3x
2. Now substitute 4−3x in the place of y in the second equation.
9x+3(4−3x)=12
3. Solve this equation: 9x+12−9x=12
12=12
This is always true. So any value of x will work. So the system
has infinitely many solutions! The system is dependent.
 EXAMPLE 8 Attempting to Solve an Inconsistent System of Equations

Solve the system of equations.

 x  y  3 (1)

2x  2y  9 (2)
Solution
Step 1. Solve equation (1) for y in terms of x.
x y3
y  3 x
Step 2. Substitute into equation (2).
2x  2y  9
2x  2 3  x   9
 EXAMPLE 8 Attempting to Solve an Inconsistent System of Equations

Solution continued
2x  6  2x  9
03
Since the equation 0 = 3
is false, the system is
inconsistent. The lines
are parallel, do not
intersect and the system
has no solution.
 3) Solving Systems Using Elimination

You can use the Addition and Subtraction Properties of Equality

to solve a system by using the elimination method.
Step 1. Decide which variable you wish to eliminate.
Step 2. Multiply each equation by a number that will make
the coefficients of the chosen variable the same in value
but opposite in sign.
Step 3. Add the two new equations together. This eliminates
your chosen variable.
Step 4. Solve for the remaining variable in this new equation.
Step 5. Substitute this value for the variable back into one of the
original equations. This is called back substitution.
 EXAMPLE Using the Elimination method

Solve the system.  3x  4y  12 (1)


 2x  5y  10 (2)
Solution
Step 1 Select the variable y for elimination.
15x  20y  60
8x  20y  40
Step 2 23x  100
100
Step 3 x
23
 100
Step 4 Back-substitute x in equation (2).
23
2x  5y  10
 100 
2   5y  10
 23 
200 30
5y  10  
23 23
6
y
23
 100 6  
Step 5 The solution set is  ,  .
 23 23  
100
Step 6 You can verify that x  and
6 23
y satisfy both equations (1) and (2).
23
EXAMPLE 1 Solve by elimination

Elimination by Addition

• For our system, we will seek to 2x-7y=3 

eliminate the x variable. The 
-5x+3y=7 
coefficients are 2 and -5. Our goal is
to obtain coefficients of x that are 5(2 x  7 y )  5(3) 
{ 
additive inverses of each other. 2(5 x  3 y )  2(7) 
• We can accomplish this by 10 x  35 y  15 
multiplying the first equation by 5, 
10 x  6 y  14 
and the second equation by 2.
• Next, we can add the two equations 0 x  29 y  29 
to eliminate the x-variable. y  1
• Solve for y 2 x  7(1) { 3 
• Substitute y value into original 2x  7  3 
equation and solve for x
2 x  4
• Write solution as an ordered pair
x  2
(2, 1)
 EXAMPLE 2 Solve by elimination

Solve by elimination. 5x – 6y = -32

3x + 6y = 48
Step 1-2-3 – Eliminate y because the sum of the coefficients of y
Is zero. 5x – 6y = -32
3x + 6y = 48
8x + 0 = 16
step4 8x = 16  x = 2
Step5 – Solve for the eliminated variable y using either of the
original equations. 3x + 6y = 48
3(2) + 6y = 48
6 + 6y = 48
6y = 42  y = 7.
Since x = 2 and y = 7, the solution is (2 , 7).
CHECK 5(2) – 6(7) = -32
10 – 42 = -32
-32 = -32
 EXAMPLE 3 Solve by elimination
Solve by the elimination. 2x + 5y = -22
10x + 3y = 22
Solution: Step1–Eliminate one variable. Start with the given system.
2x + 5y = -22
10x + 3y = 22
Step2- To prepare for eliminating x, multiply the first equation by 5.
5 (2x + 5y = -22)
Step3-Subtract the equations to eliminate x. 10x + 25y = -110
10x + 3y = 22
0 + 22y = -132
Step 4 – Solve for y. 0 + 22y = -132
22y = -132  y = -6
Step 5 – Solve for the eliminated variable using either of the original
equations. 2x + 5y = -22
2x + 5(-6) = -22
2x – 30 = -22
2x = 8  x = 4 The solution is (4 , -6).
 EXAMPLE 4 Solve by elimination

Solve by the elimination 4x + 2y = 14

7x – 3y = -8
Solution:Step 1 – Eliminate one variable. Start with the given system.
4x + 2y = 14
7x – 3y = -8
Step2-To prepare for eliminating y, multiply the first equation by 3 and
the other equation by 2. 3(4x + 2y = 14)
2(7x – 3y = -8)
Step3-Add the equations to eliminate y. 12x + 6y = 42
14x – 6y = -16
26x + 0 = 26
Step 4 – Solve for x. 26x = 26  x = 1
Step 5 – Solve for the eliminated variable y using either of the original
equations. 4x + 2y = 14
4(1) + 2y = 14
4 + 2y = 14
2y = 10  y = 5 The solution is (1 , 5).
 EXAMPLE 5 Solve by elimination

Solve the system by the Elimination method

3x−2y=−1
x+y=3
Solution:
1. Let's eliminate y .
2. Multiply equation 2 by 2. Leave equation 1 as it is:
3x−2y=−1
2x+2y=6
3. Add the two equations together: 5x=5
4. Solve for x in this equation: x=1
5. Back substitute in the second equation.
1+y=3
y=2
Solution is (1,2)
Check the solution:
First equation: 3.1−2.2=−1
Second equation: 2.1+2.2=6
 EXAMPLE 6 Solve by elimination

Solve the system by the Elimination method

x−2y=4
3x+4y=2
1. Let's eliminate y .
2. Multiply equation 1 by 2
2x−4y=8
3x+4y=2
3. Add the two equations together:
5x=10
4. Solve for x in this equation:
x=2
5. Back substitute in the first equation.
2−2y=4
−2y=2
y=−1
The solution is (2,−1)
 EXAMPLE 7 Solve by elimination

Solve by the elimination method:

x+3y=2
3x+9y=6
Solution:
1. Let's eliminate y
2. Multiply equation the first equation by −3
−3x−9y=−6
3x+9y=6
3. Add the two equations together:
0=0
This is always true so the system is dependent. There are
infinitely many solutions.
 EXAMPLE 7 Solve by elimination

Solve by the elimination method:

2x+4y=3
3x+6y=8
1. Let's eliminate x.
2. Multiply equation 1 by -3 and multiply equation 2 by 2
−6x−12y=−9
6x+12y=16
3. Add the two equations together:
0=7
This is a contradiction. The system is inconsistent. There are no
solutions
 EXAMPLE 9 Finding the Equilibrium Point application

Find the equilibrium point if the supply and demand functions for a
new brand of digital video recorder (DVR) are given by the system
p  60  0.0012x (1)
p  80  0.0008x (2)

where p is the price in dollars and x is the number of units.

Solution
Substitute the value of p from equation (1) into equation (2) and
solve the resulting equation.
p  80  0.0008x
60  0.0012x  80  0.0008x
0.0012x  20  0.0008x
0.002x  20
To find the price p back-substitute
20
x = 10,000. x
0.002
x  10, 000
 p  60  0.0012x
 60  0.0012 10, 000 
 72

The equilibrium point is

(10,000, 72).
You can verify that this
point satisfies both
equations.
 Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables
Definitions
A linear equation in the variables x1, x2, …, xn is an equation
that can be written in the form.
a1 x1  a2 x2  ...  an xn  b.
where b and the coefficients a1, a2, …, an, are real numbers. The
subscript n may be any positive integer.
A system of linear equations (or a linear system) in three
variables is a collection of two or more linear equations
involving the same variables.
An ordered triple (a, b, c) is a solution of a system of three
equations in three variables x, y, and z if each equation in the
system is a true statement when a, b, and c are substituted for
x, y, and z respectively.
EXAMPLE 1 Solving Three – Variable Linear System