3.1 Solve Linear Systems by Graphing

 

System of two linear equations

Two equations, with the variables x and y that can be written as:

 

Ax + By = C          Equation 1

Dx + Ey = F          Equation 2

 

Solution of a system

An ordered pair (x, y) that satisfies each equation

 

Consistent

A system that has at least one solution

 

Inconsistent

A system that has no solution

 

Independent

A consistent system that has exactly one solution

 

Dependent

A consistent system that has infinitely many solutions

 

Example 1

Solve a system graphically

 

Graph the system and estimate the solution. Then check the solution algebraically.

4x + 2y = 4      Equation 1

2x - 3y = 10    Equation 2

 

Solution

Graph both equations. The lines appear to intersect at (_2_, _-2_). Check this algebraically as follows:

Equation 1

Equation 2

4x + 2y = 4

2x - 3y = 10

4(_2_) + 2(_-2_) = ? =4

2(_2_) -3(_-2_) =? = 10

_4_ = 4 ü

_10_ = 10 ü

 

Remember to check the visual solution in both equations.

 
 


 


Graph the linear system and estimate the solution. Then check the solution algebraically.

 

1.            4x + y = -2

-6x - 3y = 12

(1, -6)

 

NUMBER OF SOLUTIONS OF A LINEAR SYSTEM

 

Exactly one solution

Infinitely many solutions

No Solutions

Lines intersect at one point consistent and independent Infinitely many solutions it y

Lines coincide; consistent and dependent

Lines are _parallel_;

_inconsistent_

 

Example 2

Solve a system with many solutions

 

Solve the system. Then classify the system as consistent and independent, consistent and dependent, or inconsistent

 

-2x + y = 4      Equation 1

4x - 2y = -8    Equation 2

 

 

The graphs of the equations are _the same line_. So, each point on the line is a solution, and the system has _infinitely many_ solutions. Therefore, the system is _consistent and dependent_.

Example 3

Solve a system with no solution

 

Solve the system. Then classify the system as consistent and independent, consistent and dependent, or inconsistent.

 

-2x + 4y = 8              Equation 1

-2x + 4y = -4            Equation 2

 

Solution

The graphs of the equations are two _parallel lines_. Therefore, the system is _inconsistent_.

 

Example 4

Writing and using a linear system

 

Ice Cream Shop At an ice cream shop, one customer pays $9 for 2 sundaes and 2 milkshakes. A second customer pays $13 for 2 sundaes and 4 milkshakes. How much do each sundae and milkshake cost?

 

Total cost

(dollars)

 

Cost per sundae (dollars/ shake)

 

Cost per shake (dollars/ shake)

 

Number of shakes

 

Number

of sundaes

 
Verbal model

                          =                         ·                          +                      · 

_9_ = _2_ · x+_2_ ·y     Equation 1 (Customer 1)

_13_ = _2_ · x + _4_ ·y   Equation 2 (Customer 2)

 

 

 

 

Graph the equations

_2_ x + _2_ y = _9_ and

_2_ x + _4_ y = _13_.

 

The lines appear to intersect at about the point (_2.5_, _2_).

 

Check this algebraically.

_2_(_2.5_) + _2_(_2_) = _5_ + _4_ = 9 ü Equation 1 checks.

_2_(_2.5_) + _4_(_2_) = _5_ + _8_ = 13 ü Equation 2 checks.

The solution is (2.5, _2_). So, each sundae costs $ 2.50 and each milkshake costs $ 2.00.