Scribd
Upload
56 views

MATH 1003 Calculus and Linear Algebra (Lecture 5) : Albert Ku

This document is a lecture on systems of linear equations in two variables. It begins with an example of solving a system of two equations with two unknowns using algebraic methods like substitution and elimination. It then discusses solving systems graphically by drawing the lines represented by each equation and finding their point of intersection. Finally, it discusses the different types of systems - those with a unique solution, infinitely many solutions, or no solution - and provides an example of finding market equilibrium by setting up and solving a system of supply and demand equations.

Uploaded by

andy15
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
56 views

MATH 1003 Calculus and Linear Algebra (Lecture 5) : Albert Ku

This document is a lecture on systems of linear equations in two variables. It begins with an example of solving a system of two equations with two unknowns using algebraic methods like substitution and elimination. It then discusses solving systems graphically by drawing the lines represented by each equation and finding their point of intersection. Finally, it discusses the different types of systems - those with a unique solution, infinitely many solutions, or no solution - and provides an example of finding market equilibrium by setting up and solving a system of supply and demand equations.

Uploaded by

andy15
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 16

MATH 1003 Calculus and Linear Algebra (Lecture 5)

Albert Ku

HKUST Mathematics Department

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 1 / 16


Outline

1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

2 Types of Linear Systems

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 2 / 16


Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

The following is an example of systems of linear equations in two variables.


Example
Given the following system of linear equations:
(
x − 2y = 2
x +y =5

Find its solution.

Remark
A collection of equations is called a system.
There are two unknowns (or variables) x and y in the system.
To find a solution to the system, we need to find the values of x and
y that satsify the two equations in the system.

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 3 / 16


Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Algebraic and Graphical Methods

We solve it by two algebraic methods:


1 Method of substitution
2 Method of elimination
We can also solve it by graphical method.

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 4 / 16


Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Method of Substitution

For the system

x − 2y = 2 (1)
x +y = 5 (2)

Rewrite (1) as x = 2 + 2y (3) and substitute it into (2):

(2 + 2y ) + y = 5

Solving, we get y = 1.

Substitute the value of y into (3), we have x = 2 + 2 × 1 = 4.

Hence the solution is x = 4, y = 1.

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 5 / 16


Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Method of Elimination
Multiply both sides of (2) by 2, we have

2x + 2y = 10 (4)

Add (1) and (4) together, we have

(x − 2y ) + (2x + 2y ) = 2 + 10

⇒ 3x = 12
Solving, we have x = 4.

Substitute the value of x into (1), we have 4 − 2y = 2. Solving, we have


y = 1.

Hence the solution is x = 4, y = 1.


Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 6 / 16
Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Graphical Method

We can solve the system by graphing two equations.


Linear equations are represented by straight lines.
For each straight line, it contains all the points whose coordinates
satisfy the respective equation.
By definition, the intersection point of the two straight lines has
coordinates that satisfy both equations. Hence the point represents
the solution to the system.

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 7 / 16


Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

General Linear Systems

Definition
Given the linear system (
ax + by =h
cx + dy =k
where a, b, c, d, h and k are constants. A pair of number (x0 , y0 ) is a
solution of this system if each equation is satisfied by this pair.

Question: Can a linear system always be solved? Can a linear system have
more than one solution? (Hint: Imagine how many ways can two straight
lines intersect each other.)

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 8 / 16


Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Example
Solve each of the following systems
(
x +y =4
(a)
2x − y = 2
(
6x − 3y = 9
(b)
2x − y =3
(
2x − y =4
(c)
6x − 3y = −18

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 9 / 16


Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Solution of (a)

(
x +y =4
2x − y =2

Add two equations together, we have

(x + y ) + (2x − y ) = 4 + 2

⇒ 3x = 6
Therefore, x = 2 and by substituting it into the first equation, we get
y = 2.

There is only one solution: x = 2, y = 2.

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 10 / 16


Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Solution of (b)

(
6x − 3y =9
2x − y =3

Multiply the second equation by -3 and add to the first equation, we have

(6x − 3y ) + (−6x + 3y ) = 9 − 9

⇒0=0
Notice that this happens because two equations are essentially the same.
Therefore, (x, y ) is a solution to the system if it satifies any one equation.

There are infinitely many solutions.

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 11 / 16


Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Solution of (c)

(
2x − y =4
6x − 3y = −18

Multiply the first equation by -3 and add to the second equation, we have

(−6x + 3y ) + (6x − 3y ) = −12 − 18

⇒ 0 = −30
A contradiction is obtained. Therefore, there does not exist (x, y ) that
satisfies the system.

There is no solution.

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 12 / 16


Types of Linear Systems

Types of Linear Systems

Theorem
The linear system (
ax + by =h
(3)
cx + dy =k
must have
(a) Exactly one solution. In this case, we call the system (3) independent
consistent.
(b) Infinitely many solutions. In this case, we call the system (3)
dependent consistent.
(c) No solution. In this case, we call the system (3) inconsistent.

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 13 / 16


Types of Linear Systems

An Application

Example
At $0.6 per bottle, the daily supply for milk is 450 bottles, and the daily
demand is 570 bottles. When the prices is raised to $0.75 per bottle, the
daily supply increases to 600 bottles, and the daily demand decreases to
495 bottles. Assume that the supply and the demand equation are linear.
Find the equilibrium.

Remark
The equilibrium is the price and quantity that satify both the demand
and supply equations.
The example is not quite realistic because the demand and supply
equations are seldom linear.

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 14 / 16


Types of Linear Systems

Solution
Let $p be the price and q bottles be the quantity of milk.

Given the information about the demand of milk, we can construct the
demand equation as follows:
p − 0.6 0.6 − 0.75
=
q − 570 570 − 495

⇒ p + 0.002q = 1.74
Similarly, we can construct the supply equation as follows:
p − 0.6 0.6 − 0.75
=
q − 450 450 − 600

⇒ p − 0.001q = 0.15

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 15 / 16


Types of Linear Systems

The linear system for this problem is

p + 0.002q = 1.74
p − 0.001q = 0.15

Solving, we have p = 0.68, q = 530, which is the required equilibrium.

Albert Ku (HKUST) MATH 1003 16 / 16

You might also like