System of Equations

Introduction

A System of Equations is a collection of two or more equations with a same set of

unknowns. When you first encounter system of equations problems, you’ll be solving problems
involving 2 linear equations. That means your equations will involve at most an x-variable, y-
variable, and constant value.

These may involve higher-order functions like quadratics, more than two equations in the
system, or equations involving x, y, and z variables. A solution to a system of equations is a point
that is a solution in both (or all) original equations. It is the point where the line intersects. This
means that in solving a system of equations, we try to find values that will satisfy every equation in
the system. For example, the solution to a system of two linear equations is the intersection point
between the two lines.

📝NOTE:
• Parallel lines will never intersect, therefore there is no solution
• Equations reduced ending up being the same equation will have infinitely many
solutions.

Methods for Solving System of Equations

1. The Graphical Method

2. The Substitution Method
3. The Elimination Method
The Graphing Method

The easiest and most visual way to find the intersection of a system is by graphing the
equations on the same coordinate plane. You may want to do this by hand using a graphing paper
or using a graphing calculator software e.g. DESMOS Calculator.

Example 1:

Find the intersection of the equations −2𝑥 = 2𝑦 − 4 and 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 5.

Solution:

We will try to draw this by hand using a graphing paper. In this example, a graphing paper is
emulated using emathhelp.net.

We’ll start by choosing a few x-values, plugging them into this equation, and solving for the
unknown variable y. After creating a few x and y ordered pairs, we will plot them on the Cartesian
plane and connect the points.

−2x = 2y – 4 → ①

𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 5 → ②

For equation ①:

• If x = -2, then y = 4. We plot the point (-2, 4).

• If x = -1, then y = 3. We plot the point (-1, 3).
• If x = 0, then y =2. We plot the point (0, 2).
• If x = 1, then y =1. We plot the point (1, 1).
• If x = 2, then y = 0. We plot the point (2, 0).
We can also use a table for the presentation of values for x and y ordered pairs.

x -2 -1 0 1 2
y 4 3 2 1 0
Locate this on the graphing paper then draw the line.

For equation ②:

x -2.5 -1 0
y 0 3 5

Locate this and draw the line.

From the graph we can see that the intersection is located at (-1, 3).

(-1, 3)

Now, using a graphing calculator, the resulting graph looks like the next one shown. The advantage
of doing this is that you can immediately see the intersection, if there is.
To check our solution, we can plug in the point of intersection (-1, 3) into our two equations.

-2x = 2y – 4 y = 2x + 5

-2 (-1) = 2 (3) -4 3 = 2 (-1) + 5

2=2 3=3

Thus, the solution to the system is (-1, 3).

📈📉Note:
If the lines intersect, the coordinates of the point of intersection give the solution to the
system. This system of having one solution is considered as Independent system.
Example 2:

2
Find the intersection of the lines 𝑦 = 3 𝑥 + 3 and 𝑦 = 3 using graphical method.

Solution:

2
𝑦= 𝑥+3→①
3

𝑦=3→②

Equation ① is already written in slope-intercept form, y = mx + b. We already know from there

2
that its slope is while the y-intercept is (0, 3). In order to draw ①, we do not need to know the
3

x-intercept since we have the value of the slope.

Equation ② is a horizontal line valued at 3.

(0, 3)

To check our solution, we can plug in the point of intersection into our two equations.

2
y = 3x + 3 y=3

2
3 = 3 (0) + 3 3=3

3=3
 📈📉Note:
If you want to draw a line given its slope. Write the slope as a ratio of two integers.
𝑎
𝑚=
𝑏
And if you already know one point on the line, you can just count a points up (or down if slope is
negative) and b points to the right (or left if negative).

Horizontal lines have zero slope, and has the form 𝑦 = 𝑎.

Vertical lines have infinite slope, and has the form 𝑥 = 𝑎.

Example 3:

Find the intersection of the lines 5𝑥 − 𝑦 = 15 and 10𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 20 using graphical method.

Solution:

For 5x – y = 15, x and y values are:

x -1 0 1 2
y -20 -15 -10 -5

For 10x -2y = 20, x and y values are:

x -2 -1 0 1
y -20 -15 -10 -5

These values are the points that will be used in graphing the equation. The graph is shown below.
It appears that the lines are parallel. Now, using the form Ax + By = C, let us test if the lines really
are parallel.

5𝑥 − 𝑦 = 15 → ①

10𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 20 → ②

A simple test is by comparing the ratios of the coefficients.

𝐴1 𝐴2
=
𝐵1 𝐵2

If these ratios are equal, then the lines must be parallel or on top on each other.

For ①

𝐴1 5
= = −5
𝐵1 −1

For ②

𝐴2 10
= = −5
𝐵2 −2

Now, we have

𝐴1 𝐴2
=
𝐵1 𝐵2

-5 = -5

The system has no solutions and the line do not intersect. Also, both lines have the same slope of
-5, but different y-intercepts. Thus, they are parallel and is considered as Inconsistent system.
 ✅☑ Test for Parallel Lines and Lines on Top of each other.
If the lines are in the form 𝐴1 𝑥 + 𝐵1 𝑦 = 𝐶1 and 𝐴2 𝑥 + 𝐵2 𝑦 = 𝐶2 .
They are parallel if
𝐴1 𝐴2
=
𝐵1 𝐵2
AND if
𝐶1 𝐶2
≠ .
𝐵1 𝐵2
They are on top of each other if
𝐴1 𝐴2
=
𝐵1 𝐵2
AND if
𝐶1 𝐶2
= .
𝐵1 𝐵2

Example 4:

Find the intersection of the lines 10𝑥 − 20𝑦 = 40 and 4𝑥 − 8𝑦 = 16

Solution:

The intercepts of the line 10𝑥 − 20𝑦 = 40 are (4, 0) and (0, -2), which are also the intercepts of
the line 4𝑥 − 8𝑦 = 16. They also have the same slope of ½ or 0.5. This means that they are on
top of each other. These are called coincident lines. The plot of the lines is shown in the next figure.
 Therefore, the solution is every single point on those lines or it has infinitely many
solutions. If a system has infinitely many solutions, then the lines overlap at every point. In other
words, they're the same exact line! This means that any point on the line is a solution to the system.
This system is known as Consistent or Dependent system.

The Substitution Method

In this method, you will solve one equation for one of the variables and plug that expression
into the other equation. This will provide you with an equation with only one variable,which can be
solved using algebra. Once you know the value of one variable, you can easily find the value of the
other variable by back-solving.

Example 1:

Find the intersection of the two equations given.

3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 21

2𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 27

Solution:

3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 21 → ①

2𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 27 → ②

From ①, get the equation of 𝑦

𝑦 = −3𝑥 + 21

Substitute 𝑦 in ②

2𝑥 + 5(−3𝑥 + 21) = 27
2𝑥 − 15𝑥 + 105 = 27
−13𝑥 + 105 = 27

−13 𝑥 = 27 − 105
 −13x = −78
−13 −78
x=
−13 −13
𝑥=6

Now, substitute 𝑥 = 6 in either ① or ②.

3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 21 2𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 27

−2 27
𝑦 = −3𝑥 + 21 𝑦= 𝑥+
5 5

−2 27
𝑦 = −3(6) + 21 𝑦= (6) +
5 5

−12 27
𝑦 = −18 + 21 𝑦= +
5 5

𝑦= 3 𝑦= 3

To check our solution, we can plug in the point of intersection (6, 3) to both of the equations.

3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 21 2𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 27

3(6) + 3 = 21 2(6) + 5(3) = 27

21 = 21 27 = 27

Threfore, the ordered pair(6, 3) is the point of intersection of 3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 21 and 2𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 27.

Example 2:
Find the intersection of the two equations given.
−2𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 6
−2𝑥 + 4𝑦 = −10
Solution:
−2𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 6 → ①
−2𝑥 + 4𝑦 = −10 → ②
From ①, get the equation of 𝑥.
𝑥 = 3𝑦 − 3
Substitute 𝑥 in ②.
−2(3𝑦 − 3) + 4𝑦 = −10
−6𝑦 + 6 + 4𝑦 = −10
−2𝑦 + 6 = −10
−2𝑦 = −16
−2 −16
𝑦=
−2 −2
𝑦=8
Now, substitute 𝑦 = 8 in either ① or ②.
−2𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 6 −2𝑥 + 4𝑦 = −10
𝑥 = 3𝑦 − 3 𝑥 = 2𝑦 + 5
𝑥 = 3(8) − 3 𝑥 = 2(8) + 5
𝑥 = 24 − 3 𝑥 = 16 + 5
𝑥 = 21 𝑥 = 21
Therefore, the ordered pair (21, 8) is the intersection of −2𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 6 and −2𝑥 + 4𝑦 = −10.

Example 3:
Solve the equations:

4𝑥 + 𝑦 = 8

1
2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 4
2

Solution:

4𝑥 + 𝑦 = 8 → ①

1
2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 4 → ②
2

From ①, get the equation of 𝑦.

𝑦 = −4𝑥 + 8
Substitute 𝑦 in ②.
1
2𝑥 + (−4𝑥 + 8) = 4
2
2𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 4 = 4
4=4
Any real number can be a solution. In this case, we can say that the given system of equations is a
dependent system. It indicates that the second equation is a copy of the first equation. If you try to
graph these equations, you will get coincident lines. Therefore, any point on the line is a solution
to the system.

The Elimination Method

The Elimination Method is based on the Addition Property of Equality which states that when
you add the same quantity to both sides of an equation, you still have equality. In this method,
you’ll strategically eliminate a variable by adding the two equations together. In order to do this,
you’ll often have to multiply one or both equations by a value in order to eliminate a variable.

Once you have added the equations and eliminated one variable, you’ll be left with an equation
that has only one type of variable in it which makes it easier for us to solve its value. Once you
solve for one variable you can plug in the resulting value into one of the original equations to find
the value of the other variable.

Example 1:
Find the intersection of the equations using the elimination method.
6𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −3
−𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −17
Solution:
6𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −3 → ①
−𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −17 → ②
Subtract the equations ({①} − {②}):
6𝑥 −3𝑦 = −3
− (−𝑥 −3𝑦 = −17)
7𝑥 +0𝑦 = 14

7 14
𝑥=
7 7
𝑥=2
Substitute 𝑥 = 2 in ②
−𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −17
−2 − 3𝑦 = −17
−2 − 3𝑦 = −17
−3𝑦 = −15
−3 −15
𝑦=
−3 −3
𝑦=5
To check our solution, substitute the point of intersection (2, 5) to both of the equations
6𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −3 −𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −17
6(2) − 3(5) = −3 −(2) − 3(5) = −17
−3 = −3 −17 = −17
Therefore, the ordered pair (2, 5) is the intersection of 6𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −3 and −𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −17.

📒📔Remember:

When 𝐴 = 𝑥 and 𝐵 = 𝑦, then

𝐴+𝐵 =𝑥+𝑦
Example 2:
Find the intersection of the equations using the elimination method.
6𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −3
−𝑥 + 3𝑦 = −17
Solution:
6𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −3 → ①
−𝑥 + 3𝑦 = −17 → ②
Add the equations ({①} + {②}):
6𝑥 −3𝑦 = −3
+ (−𝑥 +3𝑦 = −17)
5𝑥 +0 = −20
5𝑥 = −20
5 −20
x=
5 5
𝑥 = −4
Substitute 𝑥 = −4 in ②
−𝑥 + 3𝑦 = −17
−(−4) + 3𝑦 = −17
4 + 3𝑦 = −17
3𝑦 = −17 − 4
3𝑦 = −21
3 −21
y=
3 3
𝑦=7
Therefore, the ordered pair (−4, 7) is the intersection of 6𝑥 − 3𝑦 = −3 and −𝑥 + 3𝑦 = −17.
Example 3:
Find the intersection of the equations using the elimination method.
3𝑥 − 5𝑦 = 12
2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 8
Solution:
3𝑥 − 5𝑦 = 12 → ①
2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 8 → ②
Multiply 5 on both sides of the second equation in order to eliminate a variable.
5(2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 8)
10𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 40 → 5{②}
Then, subtract the equations ({①} − 5{②}):
3𝑥 −5𝑦 = 12
− 10𝑥 +5𝑦 = 40)
−7𝑥 +0 = −28

−7𝑥 = −28
−7 −28
x=
−7 −7
𝑥=4

Substitute 𝑥 = 4 in ②.
2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 8
2(4) + 𝑦 = 8
𝑦 =8−8
𝑦=0
Therefore, the ordered pair (−2, 0) is the intersection of 3𝑥 − 5𝑦 = 12 and 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 8
Systems with Three Variables

Example:
Find the intersection of the equations using the elimination method.
2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 2
−𝑥 + 5𝑦 − 10𝑧 = 12
3𝑥 − 10𝑦 − 𝑧 = −42
Solution:
2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 2 → ①
−𝑥 + 5𝑦 − 10𝑧 = 12 → ②
3𝑥 − 10𝑦 − 𝑧 = −42 → ③

{①} + {③}: Eliminate 𝑧 from ① and ③.

2𝑥 −𝑦 +𝑧 =2
+ 3𝑥 −10𝑦 −𝑧 = −42
5𝑥 −11𝑦 +0 = −40

5𝑥 − 11𝑦 = −40 → ④
{②} + (−10){③}: Eliminate 𝑧 from ② and ③.
(−10){③} = (−10)(3𝑥 − 10𝑦 − 𝑧 = −42)
(−10){③} = −30𝑥 + 100𝑦 + 10𝑧 = 420

−𝑥 +5𝑦 −10𝑧 = 12
+ −30𝑥 +100𝑦 +10𝑧 = 420
−31𝑥 +105𝑦 +0 = 432

−31𝑥 + 105𝑦 = 432 → ⑤

31{④} + 5{⑤}: Eliminate 𝑥 from ④ and ⑤.
31{④} = (31)(5𝑥 − 11𝑦 = −40)
31{④} = 155𝑥 − 341𝑦 = −1240
 5{⑤} = (5)( −31𝑥 + 105𝑦 = 432)
5{⑤} = −155𝑥 + 525𝑦 = 2160

+155𝑥 −341𝑦 = −1240

+ −155𝑥 +525𝑦 = +2160
0 +184𝑦 = +920

184𝑦 = 920
184 920
y=
184 184
𝑦=5
Substitute 𝑦 = 5 to ④.
5𝑥 − 11𝑦 = −40
5x − 11(5) = −40
5x − 55 = −40
5x = 15
5 15
x=
5 5
𝑥=3
Substitute 𝑦 = 5 and 𝑥 = 3 to ①.
2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 2
2(3) − 5 + 𝑧 = 2
1+z=2
𝑧=1
To check the solutions, substitute the values to the given equations.
2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 2 −𝑥 + 5𝑦 − 10𝑧 = 12 3𝑥 − 10𝑦 − 𝑧 = −42
2(3) − 5 + 1 = 2 −3 + 5(5) − 10(1) = 12 3(3) − 10(5) − (1) = −42
6−5+1= 2 −3 + 25 − 10 = 12 9 − 50 − 1 = −42
2=2 12 = 12 −42 = −42

Thus, the solutions for the given equations are 𝑥 = 3, 𝑦 = 5, and 𝑧 = 1.

Topic gathered from: Medium and Khan Academy websites

For more examples visit: Cliffnotes’ website