## Section4.2Systems of Linear Equations

### SubsectionWhat is a System of Equations?

In many applications it is useful to write two or more linear equations.

###### Example4.9.

Delbert and Francine are buying appliances for their new home. They have a choice of two different refrigerators: a standard model that sells for $1000, or an energy-efficient model at a price of$1200. The standard model costs $6 per month to run, and the energy-efficient model costs$2 per month. Write linear equations for the total cost of each refrigerator after $t$ months.

Solution

Let $S$ stand for the total cost of running the standard refrigerator for $t$ months, so $S=mt+b\text{.}$ The initial cost of the standard model is $1000, so $b=1000\text{.}$ The cost increases at a rate of$6 per month, so $m=6\text{.}$ Thus,

\begin{equation*} S=6t+1000 \end{equation*}

Let $E$ stand for the total cost of running the energy-efficient refrigerator. For this model, the initial cost is $b=1200\text{,}$ and the total cost increases at a rate of $2$ dollars per month. Thus,

\begin{equation*} E=2t+1200 \end{equation*}
###### Look Closer.

When we consider two equations together, as in the example above, we often use the same variables for both equations, like this:

\begin{gather*} y=6x+1000\\ y=2x+1200 \end{gather*}

A pair of linear equations with the same variables is called a system of linear equations.

In Example 4.9, the standard refrigerator costs less initially, but costs more to run each month. Delbert and Francine want to know when the energy-efficient model will begin to pay for itself, or in other words, when the total cost of running the standard model will exceed the total cost of the energy-efficient model.

###### Example4.10.

When is the total cost of running the two refrigerators in Example 4.9 equal?

Solution

We would like to know the value of $t$ when $S=E\text{.}$ We could use trial-and-error by evaluating both $S$ and $E$ for various values of $t\text{.}$ The results of such a search are given in the table below.

 $t$ $10$ $20$ $30$ $40$ $50$ $S$ $1060$ $1120$ $1180$ $1240$ $1300$ $E$ $1220$ $1240$ $1260$ $1280$ $1300$

We see that when $t=50\text{,}$ the total cost of both models is 1300. Thus, at the end of 50 months, or 4 years 2 months, the cost of the standard model equals the cost of the energy-efficient model. In Example 4.10 we found an ordered pair, $(50,1300)\text{,}$that makes both equations true. A solution to a system of equations is an ordered pair $(x,y)$ that satisfies each equation in the system. To check whether $(50,1300)$ is really a solution of the system, we substitute the coordinates into each equation. \begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} S \amp = 6t+1000 \amp\amp \text{Does}~~~ \alert{1300} = 6(\alert{50})+1000?~~~~~~\blert{\text{True}}\\ E \amp = 2t+1000 \amp\amp \text{Does}~~~\alert{1300} = 2(\alert{50})+1200?~~~~~~\blert{\text{True}} \end{aligned} \end{equation*} We have verified that the ordered pair $(50,1300)$ is a solution to the system in Example 4.9. #### Reading QuestionsReading Questions ###### 1. What is a solution to a system of equations? ###### 2. Decide whether the ordered pair $(2,3)$ is a solution to the system \begin{gather*} 3x-4y=-6\\ x+2y=-4 \end{gather*} ### SubsectionSolving a System of Equations by Graphing The solution of a system satisfies both equations in the system, so the point that represents the solution must lie on both graphs. It is the intersection point of the two lines described by the system. Thus, we can solve a system of equations by graphing the equations and looking for the point (or points) where the graphs intersect. ###### Example4.11. Solve the system in Example 4.9 by graphing. Solution The graph of the two equations is shown below. The graph of $S$ has a smaller initial value than $E\text{,}$ but it increases more rapidly because its slope is greater. The two graphs intersect at the point labeled $P\text{.}$ At this point the values of $S$ and $E$ are the same, approximately 1300. The $t$-coordinate of point is 50, so the solution of the system is $(50,1300)\text{.}$ The total cost of each model is about1300 over the first 50 months of operation.

After 50 months, the total cost of the energy-efficient model will be less than the cost of the standard model.

###### 3.

How do we find the solution to a system of equations by graphing?

### SubsectionInconsistent and Dependent Systems

Delbert and Francine are also shopping for homeowners insurance. HomeLife offers a policy for semiannual premiums of $408, or they can join a co-op for$50 and pay just 68 per month for comparable coverage. Which option is less expensive in the long run? Solution We'll write a system of equations and graph them, as we did in Example 4.11. If $t$ stands for the number of months, then the total cost of the co-op insurance is \begin{equation*} C=50+68t \end{equation*} and the HomeLife policy costs \begin{equation*} H=\dfrac{408}{6}t=68t \end{equation*} because a semiannual premium covers 6 months. The solution of the system represents the time when the costs of the two policies are equal. The graphs of the two equations are shown below. As you can see, the two lines are parallel, so the graphs do not intersect. This system has no solution. There is no point where the two policies cost the same amount; the HomeLife policy is always less expensive. In Example 4.12, the two graphs never intersect, so the system has no solution. Such a system is called inconsistent. There is a third possibility: Both equations may have the same graph. ###### Example4.13. Solve the system \begin{gather*} y=2x+2\\ 6x-3y=-6 \end{gather*} Solution We graph the first equation by the slope-intercept method: \begin{equation*} b=2~~~~~~\text{and}~~~~~~m = \dfrac{\Delta y}{\Delta x} = \dfrac{2}{1} \end{equation*} Its graph is shown below. The second equation, which has the form $Ax+By=C\text{,}$ is easier to graph by the intercept method. You can verify that its intercepts are $(0,2)$ and $(-1,0)\text{.}$ The graph of the second line is identical to the first graph. Every solution to the first equation is also a solution to the second equation, so every point on the line is a solution of the system as well. The system has infinitely many solutions. We can verify that the two equations in Example 4.13 are actually equivalent by solving the second equation for $y$ in terms of $x\text{.}$ \begin{equation*} \begin{aligned} 6x-3y \amp = -6 \amp\amp \blert{\text{Add}~3y~\text{and 6 to both sides.}} \\ 6x+6 \amp = 3y \amp\amp \blert{\text{Divide both sides by 3.}}\\ 2x+2 \amp = y \end{aligned} \end{equation*} The second equation is the same as the first equation. A system in which the two equations are equivalent is called dependent. A dependent system has infinitely many solutions: Every point on the graph is a solution to the system. We have now seen three types of systems. These are illustrated in the figure below. Most of the systems we will study have exactly one solution. Such systems are called consistent and independent. 1. Consistent and independent system. The graphs of the two lines intersect in exactly one point. The system has exactly one solution. 2. Inconsistent system. The graphs of the equations are parallel lines and hence do not intersect. An inconsistent system has no solutions. 3. Dependent system. All the solutions of one equation are also solutions to the second equation, and hence are solutions of the system. The graphs of the two equations are the same line. A dependent system has infinitely many solutions. #### Reading QuestionsReading Questions ###### 4. What does the graph of an inconsistent system look like? How many solutions does it have? ###### 5. What does the graph of a dependent system look like? How many solutions does it have? ### SubsectionProblem Solving with Systems Many practical problems involve two or more unknown quantities. Often it is easier to solve these problems by using two variables and writing a system of equations. ###### Example4.14. Allen has been asked to design a rectangular Plexiglas plate whose perimeter is 28 inches and whose length is three times its width. What should the dimensions of the plate be? Solution Step 1 The dimensions of a rectangle are its length and width, so we let $x$ represent the width of the plate and $y$ represent its length. Step 2 We must write two equations about the length and width of the plate. We know a formula for the perimeter of a rectangle, $P=2l+2w\text{,}$ so the first equation is \begin{equation*} 2x+2y=28 \end{equation*} We also know that the length is three times the width, or $y=3x\text{.}$ These two equations make a system. \begin{gather*} 2x+2y=28\\ y=3x \end{gather*} Step 3 We use the intercept method to graph the first equation, $2x+2y=28\text{:}$  $x$ $y$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $0$ $14$ $\blert{\text{When}~ x=0,~y=14}$ $14$ $0$ $\blert{\text{When}~ y=0,~x=14}$ We use the slope-intercept method to graph $y=3x\text{:}$ \begin{equation*} b=0 ~~~~~~~~ m = \dfrac{\Delta y}{\Delta x} = \dfrac{3}{1} \end{equation*} Their graphs are shown below. The graphs intersect at approximately $(3.5,10.5)\text{.}$ You can verify that $x=3.5$ and $y=10.5$ are a solution to the system by checking that these values make both equations true. Step 4 The width of the plate should be 3.5 inches and its length should be 10.5 inches. #### Reading QuestionsReading Questions ###### 6. When might you use a system of equations to solve an applied problem? ### SubsectionSkills Warm-Up #### ExercisesExercises Write algebraic expressions to answer the questions. ###### 1. How much interest is earned after 2 years on $d+50$ dollars at 6% annual interest rate? ###### 2. How much manganese is there in $8-z$ grams of an alloy that is 35% manganese? ###### 3. How far will a boat travel in 2 hours at a speed of $r+3$ miles per hour? ###### 4. How far will a train moving at 40 miles per hour travel in $3+x$ hours? ###### 5. A small plane has a top airspeed of $v$ miles per hour. How far can the plane travel in 5 hours against a headwind of 15 miles per hour? ###### 6. A fishing boat has a top speed in still water of 26 miles per hour. How far can the boat travel downstream in 3 hours if the speed of the current is $w$ miles per hour? #### SolutionsAnswers to Skills Warm-Up ##### ExercisesExercises ###### 1. ###### 2. ###### 3. ###### 4. ###### 5. ###### 6. ### ExercisesHomework 4.2 For Problems 1–2, decide whether the given ordered pair is a solution of the system. ###### 1. \begin{aligned}[t] x+2y\amp=-8\amp\amp (4,-2)\\ 2x-y\amp=4 \end{aligned} ###### 2. \begin{aligned}[t] 3x+2y\amp=-5\amp\amp (-3,-2)\\ x+3y\amp=-9 \end{aligned} For Problems 3–5, decide which graphing technique, the intercept method or the slope-intercept method, would be easier to use. Explain why you made the choice you did. ###### 3. $3x-2y=18$ ###### 4. $y=\dfrac{5x}{3}-8$ ###### 5. $y=\dfrac{-5}{6}x$ For Problems 6–9, solve the system by graphing. ###### 6. \begin{aligned}[t] y\amp=-3x\\ y\amp=3x-6 \end{aligned} ###### 7. \begin{aligned}[t] \amp y=\dfrac{3}{4}x-2\\ \amp 2y-5x=10 \end{aligned} ###### 8. \begin{aligned}[t] \amp x+y=4\\ \amp 3x-3y=12 \end{aligned} ###### 9. \begin{aligned}[t] \amp 2y=-3x\\ \amp y=-2x-1 \end{aligned} For Problems 10–11, decide whether the system is dependent or inconsistent. ###### 10. \begin{aligned}[t] \amp x+y=4\\ \amp 2x+2y=12 \end{aligned} ###### 11. \begin{aligned}[t] \amp y=-2x+4\\ \amp 4x+2y=2 \end{aligned} ###### 12. Without graphing, explain how you can tell that the system has no solution. \begin{gather*} x+y=4\\ 2x+2y=12 \end{gather*} ###### 13. Delbert has accepted a sales job and is offered a choice of two salary plans. Under Plan A he receives20,000 a year plus a 3% commission on his sales. Plan B offers a $15,000 annual salary plus a 5% commission. 1. Let $x$ stand for the amount of Delbert's sales in one year. Write equations for his total annual earnings, $E\text{,}$ under each plan. \begin{gather*} \text{Plan A:}~~~E =\\ \text{Plan B:}~~~E = \end{gather*} 2. Fill in the tables, where $x$ is given in thousands of dollars.  $x$ Earnings Under Plan A $0$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $50$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $100$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $150$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $200$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $250$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $300$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $350$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $400$ $\hphantom{0000}$  $x$ Earnings Under Plan B $0$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $50$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $100$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $150$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $200$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $250$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $300$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $350$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $400$ $\hphantom{0000}$ 3. Graph both of your equations on the grid. (Both axes are scaled in thousands of dollars.) 4. For what sales amount do the two plans result in equal earnings for Delbert? ###### 14. Orpheus Music plans to manufacture clarinets for schools. Their startup costs are$6000, and each clarinet costs $60 to make. They plan to sell the clarinets for$80 each.

1. Let $x$ stand for the number of clarinets Orpheus manufactures. Write equations for the total cost, $C\text{,}$ of producing $x$ clarinets, and the revenue, $R\text{,}$ earned from selling $x$ clarinets.

\begin{gather*} \text{Cost}~~~C =\\ \text{Revenue}~~~R = \end{gather*}
2. Fill in the tables, where $x$ is given in thousands of dollars.

 $x$ Cost $0$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $50$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $100$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $150$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $200$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $250$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $300$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $350$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $400$ $\hphantom{0000}$
 $x$ Revenue $0$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $50$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $100$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $150$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $200$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $250$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $300$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $350$ $\hphantom{0000}$ $400$ $\hphantom{0000}$

3. Graph both of your equations on the grid. (The vertical axis is scaled in thousands of dollars.)

4. How many clarinets must Orpheus sell in order to break even?
5. What is their profit if they sell 500 clarinets? 200 clarinets?

For Problems 15–16,

1. Choose a variable for each of the unknown quantities.
2. Write a system of equations in two variables to model the problem.
3. Solve the system graphically.
A bouquet of 4 roses and 8 carnations costs $14. A bouquet of 6 roses and 9 carnations costs$18. How much do one rose and one carnation cost?
The vertex angle of an isosceles triangle is $15 \degree$ less than each base angle. (In an isosceles triangle, the base angles are equal.) Find the measure of each angle of the triangle. (Hint: For your second equation, recall that the sum of the angles in any triangle is $180 \degree\text{.}$