Solving Two-Variable

Systems of Linear Equations

Lecture : Drs. IB Ketut Perdata, M.Pd

By : Putu Eka Putra
 A set of linear equations in two variables is called
a system of linear equations.
 3x + 2y = 14

 2x + 5y = 3
A solution of such a system is an ordered pair which is a solution
of each equation in the system.

Example: The ordered pair (4, 1) is a solution of the system since

3(4) + 2(1) = 14 and 2(4) – 5(1) = 3.

Example: The ordered pair (0, 7) is not a solution of the system

since
3(0) + 2(7) = 14 but 2(0) – 5(7) = – 35, not 3.

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 Systems of linear equations in two variables have either
no solutions, one solution, or infinitely many solutions.
y y y

x x x

unique solution infinitely many no solutions

solutions

A system of equations with at least one solution is consistent.

A system with no solutions is inconsistent.

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 To solve the system  x – y = –1 by the graphing
 2x + y = 4
method, graph both equations and determine where the
graphs intersect. y

(1, 2)
x – y = –1
x
2x + y = 4

The ordered pair (1, 2) is the unique solution.

The system is consistent since it has solutions.

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 Example: Solve the system  x – 2y = – 4 by the

graphing method.  3x – 6y = 6

x – 2y = – 4

3x – 6y = 6

The lines are parallel and have no point of intersection.

The system has no solutions and is inconsistent.

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  x – 2y = – 4
Example: Solve the system  by the graphing
3x – 6y = – 12
method.

3xx –– 6y
2y == –– 12
4

The graphs of the two equations are the same line and the
intersection points are all the points on this line.
The system has infinitely many solutions.

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 Substitution Method

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 To solve a system by the substitution method:

1. Select an equation and solve for one variable in

terms of the other.
2. Substitute the expression resulting from Step 1 into
the other equation to produce an equation in one
variable.
3. Solve the equation produced in Step 2.
4. Substitute the value for the variable obtained in
Step 3 into the expression obtained in Step 2.
5. Check the solution.

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 
Example: Solve the system  x + 3y = 2 by the substitution
 2x – y = – 3
method.

1. From the second equation obtain y = 2x + 3.

2. Substitute this expression for y into the first equation.

x + 3(2x + 3) = 2

3. Solve for x to obtain x = - 1.

4. Substitute 2 for y in y = 2x + 3 and conclude y = 1.

The solution is (- 1, 1).

5. Check: 
(- 1) + 3 (1) = 2

 2(- 1) – (1) = –3

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 
Problem 1 : Solve the system  4x + 3y = - 5 by the substitution
 x + 5y = 3
method.

1. From the second equation obtain x = .....

2. Substitute this expression for x into the first equation.

4(…..) + 3y = - 5

3. Solve for y to obtain y = ....

4. Substitute 2 for x in x = .... and conclude x = .....

The solution is (..., ...)

5. Check: 
4x + 3y = - 5

 x + 5y = 3

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 
Problem 2 : Solve the system  5x - 3y = 11 by the substitution
 -x - y = 1
method.

1. From the second equation obtain y = .....

2. Substitute this expression for y into the first equation.

5x – 3(….) = 11

3. Solve for x to obtain x = ....

4. Substitute 2 for x in y = .... and conclude y = .....

The solution is (..., ...)

5. Check: 
5x - 3y = 11

 -x - y = 1

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 Evaluation
: Solve the system by the substitution method.

x–y=6
 2x + y = 6


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