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Worked solution

Substitution, elimination and a graphical check

Solve the following systems of linear equations without using a graphing calculator. (a) 2x+y=32x+y=3, 4x−3y=04x-3y=0. (b) x+y+z=6x+y+z=6, x+2y+z=8x+2y+z=8, 2x+y+z=72x+y+z=7.

CJC · Lecture · Example 1

(a) Substitution

Label 2x+y=32x+y=3 as (1) and 4x−3y=04x-3y=0 as (2). From (1), y=3−2xy=3-2x. Substitute into (2): 4x−3(3−2x)=04x-3(3-2x)=0, so 10x=910x=9 and x=0.9x=0.9. Then y=3−2(0.9)=1.2y=3-2(0.9)=1.2. Exact fractions are x=9/10x=9/10, y=6/5y=6/5.

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(a) Elimination and graphical meaning

Multiply (1) by 3 to obtain 6x+3y=96x+3y=9. Add (2): 10x=910x=9, hence x=0.9x=0.9 and, from (1), y=1.2y=1.2. Check 2(0.9)+1.2=32(0.9)+1.2=3 and 4(0.9)−3(1.2)=04(0.9)-3(1.2)=0. The source also plots Y1=3−2XY_1=3-2X and Y2=43XY_2=\frac43X: the unique intersection (0.9,1.2)(0.9,1.2) is the simultaneous solution. The diagram below redraws the mathematical content of its entry and intersection screens.

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(b) Substitution

Label x+y+z=6x+y+z=6, x+2y+z=8x+2y+z=8, 2x+y+z=72x+y+z=7 as (1), (2), (3). From (1), x=6−y−zx=6-y-z. Substitution into (2) gives (6−y−z)+2y+z=8(6-y-z)+2y+z=8, hence y=2y=2. Substitution into (3) gives 2(6−y−z)+y+z=72(6-y-z)+y+z=7, hence y+z=5y+z=5. Therefore z=3z=3 and (1) gives x=1x=1.

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(b) Elimination and verification

Subtract (1) from (2): y=2y=2. Substitute into (1) and (3): x+z=4x+z=4 and 2x+z=52x+z=5. Subtract these equations: x=1x=1, then z=3z=3. Verify all three originals: 1+2+3=61+2+3=6, 1+2(2)+3=81+2(2)+3=8, 2(1)+2+3=72(1)+2+3=7. Thus (x,y,z)=(1,2,3)(x,y,z)=(1,2,3).

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Compare your sketch

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The decreasing line y=3−2x through (0,3) and (1.5,0), and the increasing line y=4x/3 through (0,0), intersect at (0.9,1.2). That point satisfies both original equations.
The decreasing line y=3−2x through (0,3) and (1.5,0), and the increasing line y=4x/3 through (0,0), intersect at (0.9,1.2). That point satisfies both original equations.
The decreasing line y=3−2x through (0,3) and (1.5,0), and the increasing line y=4x/3 through (0,0), intersect at (0.9,1.2). That point satisfies both original equations.

Common mistakes

Operate on both sides of the whole equation. A solution must satisfy every original equation; finding a point on just one line is insufficient.

Solution notes

Student and Teacher copies compared: PDF pp.3–4, printed pp.163–164. Example 1(b) ends on page 4; the following calculator workflow is retained separately as Example 2.

No marks are printed. Both methods and the two-variable graphical interpretation are retained. This incoming lecture identity is separate from the existing bank and review identities.

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