Algebra Student Notes ~ Unit

5 ~ Part 3: Solving by Substitution

What will you learn in this lesson? Algebra Benchmarks and Indicators
1) You will articulate why a system of equations cannot always be solved by the graphing
method.
2) You will solve a system of equations using the substitution method.
Part One: Review of Lessons 1 & 2
a) What is a system of equations?
Answer:

b) What is another name for a system of equations?

Answer:
c) What do you have to find if you are asked to solve a system of equations?
Answer:
d) Name three types of possible solutions you can have for a system of equations.
i)
ii)
iii)
Part Two: Using Substitution to Solve a System
Introduction: In the last lesson we solved simultaneous equations by graphinglike this
example.

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Created by Rachel M. Chaplin

Copyright 2011

Algebra Student Notes ~ Unit

5 ~ Part 3: Solving by Substitution

Problem 1: Solve the system of equations by graphing: Use the y intercept ~ slope graphing
method.
Equation 1:

y 2x = 0

Equation 2:

y = 4x + 3

Workspace:

Slope (m) :

rYse
=
run

Slope (m) :

y intercept (b):

rYse
=
run

y intercept (b):

Solution:

It is not always possible to find the point of intersection by the graphing method. Since we
would have to estimate this point of intersection, we will have to solve this system of
equations mathematically. In this lesson, we will learn the substitution method of solving a
system of equations.
1) What does it mean to substitute?
Answer:
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Created by Rachel M. Chaplin

Copyright 2011

Algebra Student Notes ~ Unit

5 ~ Part 3: Solving by Substitution

Problem 2: Solve this same system of equations by the substitution method.

Equation 1:

y = 2x

Equation 2:

y = 4x + 3

Equation 1 and Equation 2 represent the players in a basketball game. The players who are
playing in the game right now are y and 2x. The player who is sitting on the bench right now is
4x + 3. Y is a very good basketball player. He starts every single game. But when y gets tired,
the coach substitutes with 4x + 3.

2) How do we know that 4x + 3 is just as good of a player as y?

Answer:
3) Now that we have used substitution
to set up our equation, solve for x.

4) Plug the x value into either equation to

find the y value of the solution.

Solution:
5) Check your work by plugging both values into the other equation.
Check It:

6) Return to your graph for Problem 1 to see if this solution is close to the solution given on
your graph.
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Created by Rachel M. Chaplin

Copyright 2011

Algebra Student Notes ~ Unit

5 ~ Part 3: Solving by Substitution

7) Before doing Problem 3, lets review the steps needed to solve a system by the substitution
method.
Step 1: Choose the equation (players) that will begin the game.
Step 2: Substitute.
Step 3: Solve for one variable.
Step 4: Plug in the value of the first variable to find the second variable.
Step 5: Check your work!

Problem 3: Solve the system of equations using the substitution method.

Equation 1:

y = 2x + 4

Choose, Substitute & Solve:

Equation 2:
Plug in & Solve for 2nd Variable:

y = 3x - 2
Check It:

Solution:

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Created by Rachel M. Chaplin

Copyright 2011

Algebra Student Notes ~ Unit

5 ~ Part 3: Solving by Substitution

Problem 4: Solve the system of equations using the substitution method.

Equation 1:

y+x=5

Equation 2:

y = x + 10

Notice that only one of the equations in this problem tells us which player is just as good as y.
Allow this equation to be your substitute player. When both equations begin with y =, then it
doesnt matter which equation you choose to start the game.
Go back and look at Problem 3. In this problem, both equations have players that are just as
good as y. We began the solving process choosing Equation 2. Then we used Equation 1 as
our substitute player. However, we COULD have started the solving process choosing Equation
1 then used Equation 2 as our substitute player.
Now let's return to Problem 4. Equation 2 tells us who can play just as well as y; therefore
Equation 2 is our substitute.
Choose, Substitute & Solve:

Plug in & Solve for 2nd Variable:

Check It:

Solution:

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Created by Rachel M. Chaplin

Copyright 2011

Algebra Student Notes ~ Unit

5 ~ Part 3: Solving by Substitution

Problem 5: Solve the system of equations using the substitution method.

Equation 1:

y=x+8

Choose, Substitute & Solve:

Equation 2:

x+y=6

Plug in & Solve for 2nd Variable:

Check It:

Solution:

Problem 6: Solve the system of equations using the substitution method.

Equation 1:

x = 2y + 1

Choose, Substitute & Solve:

Equation 2:
Plug in & Solve for 2nd Variable:

x-y=4
Check It:

Solution:
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Created by Rachel M. Chaplin

Copyright 2011

Algebra Student Notes ~ Unit

5 ~ Part 3: Solving by Substitution

Problem 7: Solve the system of equations using the substitution method.

Equation 1:

x = -7

Choose, Substitute & Solve:

Equation 2:

2x + y = 6

Plug in & Solve for 2nd Variable:

Check it:

Solution:

Problem 8: Solve the system of equations using the substitution method.

Equation 1:

y = 2 - 2x

Choose, Substitute & Solve:

Equation 2:
Plug in & Solve for 2nd Variable:

-x-y=-3
Check It:

Solution:
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Created by Rachel M. Chaplin

Copyright 2011

Algebra Student Notes ~ Unit

5 ~ Part 3: Solving by Substitution

THE NEXT EXAMPLES ARE CALLED, YOU DO PROBLEMS! THIS MEANSYOU DO THE
PROBLEMS BY YOURSELF. RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU NEED HELP!

YOU DO!

Problem 9: Solve the system of equations using the substitution method.

Equation 1:

x+y=5

Choose, Substitute & Solve:

Equation 2:

y=x+3

Plug in & Solve for 2nd Variable:

Check it:

Solution:
Problem 10: Solve the system of equations using the substitution method.
Equation 1:

x=y-2

Choose, Substitute & Solve:

Equation 2:

x = 2y + 3

Plug in & Solve for 2nd Variable:

Check It:

Solution:

Did you learn the benchmarks? Discuss them with your teacher.

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Created by Rachel M. Chaplin

Copyright 2011