Linear and simultaneous equations.

Solving a System of Two Linear Equations with Substitution

This Demonstration (contributed by Izidor Hafner) solves a system of two linear equations with
substitution. It solves the first equation for x and then substitutes x into the second equation. A new
equation is then solved for y. Two equivalent equations give the identity, so there are infinitely
many solutions; in case of a contradictory (inconsistent) system, there are no solutions.

Solve the system of the equations:

coefficients of the first equation
a 4
4x +4y 3
b 4

c 3
6x +3y 2
coefficients of the second equation
d 6

e 3

Out[ ]= f 2 4x 3-4y
3
x -y
4
3
show steps 1 2 3 4 5
6  - y + 3 y  2
4
5
y
6
1. Rearrange the first equation. 1
x-
12
2. Solve that equation for x.

3. Substitute for x in the second equation.

4. Solve that equation for y.

5. Substitute for y in step 2.

Two-by-Two Linear Systems Problem Generator

Drag the locators to move the lines. Each locator snaps to the nearest point with integer coordi-
nates. The equations of the lines are displayed on the right as a two-by-two system of linear equa-
tions with integer coefficients. Provided that a unique solution exists, it will be displayed as well
(the solution is the point of intersection of the two lines). Bruce Torrence developed this
demonstration.
2 Algebra refresher2.nb

10

-3 x - 4 y = -13
2 x - 7 y = -30
Out[ ]=
-10 -5 5 10

solution: {-1, 4}

-5

-10

Problems
Solve equations:
x 3x x
1. + - =1
3 4 6

Tick to show solution

1 3 1
x + - =1
Out[ ]= 3 4 6
4+9-2
x =1
12
12
x=
11

x 2x
2. + =3x -5
5 3
 Algebra refresher2.nb 3

Tick to show solution

1 2
x + - 3 = -5
Out[ ]= 5 3
3 +10 - 45
x =-5
15
75
x=
32

2z- 7 1
3. =
2z+7 2

Tick to show solution

Out[ ]= 2(2z - 7) = 2z + 7
4z - 2z = 14 + 7
21
z=
2

3x+2 6x-1
4. - =2x
8 4

Tick to show solution

Out[ ]= 3x + 2 - 2 (6x - 1) = 16x

3x - 12x - 16x = -4
4
x=
25

7 5
5. =
8x-3 1-4x

Tick to show solution

Out[ ]= 7(1 - 4x) = 5 (8x - 3)

-28x - 40x = -7 - 15
11
x=
34

2x+5
6. =1
x+4
4 Algebra refresher2.nb

Tick to show solution

Out[ ]=
2x + 5 = x + 4
2x - x = -5 + 4
x = -1

2 3
7. =
x+3 5-x

Tick to show solution

Out[ ]= 3(x + 3) = 2 (5 - x)
3x + 2x = -9 + 10
1
x=
5

5x+4y =1
8.
3x-6y =2

Tick to show solution

5x+4y =1 15x + 12y = 3

⟺
3x-6y =2 6x - 12y = 4
2

1 3x-6y = 2

1 2 3 4
Out[ ]= -1

5x+4y = 1
-2

-3

-4

-5
1
x=
3

y=-1
6

x- y =6
9.
-2 x + 2 y =1
 Algebra refresher2.nb 5

Tick to show solution

x- y = 6 x-y =6
⟺ 1
-2 x + 2 y = 1 x-y =- 2

4
-2 x + 2 y = 1

Out[ ]= 2

1 2 3 4

-2
x-y=6

-4

-6

The system is inconsistent (has no solutions)

10.
Solve the following system:
2x +y-2z =3
x- y-z =0
x +y+3z = 12

Tick to show solution

2x+y-2z =3 2x+y-2z = 3 2+y = 3

x- y-z =0 ⟺ 3x - 3z = 3 ⟺ x = z+1
x+y+3z = 12 x+y+3z = 12 1+1+4z = 12
7
x=
2

y=1
Out[ ]=
5
z=
2

2x + y - 2z = 3
x- y-z = 0
x + y + 3 z = 12

11.
Solve the following system:
2x +y+z =7
x +2y+z =8
x +y+2z =9
6 Algebra refresher2.nb

Solution
The system could be solved by Gaussian elimination method but there is a quicker method.
If we sum all equation we obtain
4 x + 4 y + 4 z = 24
Hence x + y + z = 6. Now by subtracting this equation from the first system equation, we find
x=1
If we repeat the same manipulation with the second system equation we get y = 2. Finally from the
third equation we find z = 3.