SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES

Lesson 3-1
Example 1 Solve by Using a Table
Solve the system of equations by completing a table.
x-y=1
2x y = 4
Write each equation in slope-intercept form by solving for y in each equation.

x-y=1
y=x1
2x y = 4
y = 2x 4
Use a table to find the solution that satisfies both equations.
x
y1 = x 1
y1 y 2 = 2x 4
y2
(x, y1)
(x, y2)
1
2
3

y1 = 1 1
y1 = 2 1

y 2 = 2(1) 4

-2

(1, 0)

(1, -2)

y 2 = 2(2) 4

(2, 1)

(2, 0)

y1 = 3 1

y 2 = 2(3) 4

(3, 2)

(3, 2)

The solution of the system is (3, 2).

Example 2 Solve by Graphing
Solve the system of equations by graphing.

x+y=2
3x y = 6
Write each equation in slopeintercept form.

x+y=2
y = x + 2
3x y = 6
y = 3x 6
The graphs of the lines appear to intersect at (2, 0).
Check Substitute the coordinates into each equation.
x+y=2
?

3x y = 6
?

2+0 2

3(2) 0 6

2=2

60 6

6=6

Original equations
Replace x with 2 and y with 0.
Simplify.

The solution of the system is (2, 0).

Real-World Example 3 Break-Even Point Analysis

BUSINESSLaurasCopieshastwooptionsforbuyingphotocopies.WithOption1,youcan
buyacardforP40eachyearandthenpayP0.03percopy.WithOption2,youcanjustpay
P0.05percopy.ForhowmanycopieswouldthecostofOptions1and2bethesame?What
isthecost?
Let x = the number of copies,
and let y = the cost of the copies.
Cost of x copies
using Option 1

y
Cost of x copies
using Option 2

is

cost per copy plus

=
is

0.03x

cost of card.

40

cost per copy

0.05x

The graphs intersect at (2000, 100). This is the break

even point. The cost of making copies is the same if
you make 2000 copies. The cost is P100.
If a person plans to make fewer than 2000 copies during the year, he or she should use Option 2.
If a person plans to make more than 2000 copies during the year, he or she should use Option 1.

Example 4 Classify Systems

Graph each system of equations and describe them as consistent and independent,
consistent and dependent, or inconsistent.
a. 4y x = 8
3

4x+y=6
1

b. 3y = 7x + 6
6y + 14x = 24
7

y= 4x+2

y = 3 x + 2

y = 4 x + 6

y = 3 x 4

The graphs intersect at (4, 3). Since

there is one solution, the system is
consistent and independent.

The lines do not intersect. Their

graphs are parallel lines. So, there
are no solutions that satisfy both
equations. This system is
inconsistent.

c. 2 x + 3 y = 1
3x + 4y = 6
3

d. f(x) = x 2
g(x) = x + 2
h(x) = 2x + 1

y = 4 x + 2
3

y = 4 x + 2

g(x)
x O
y
h(x)
f(x)

Because the equations are equivalent,

their graphs are the same line. The
system is consistent and dependent.

f(x) and g(x) are inconsistent. f(x) and

h(x) are consistent and independent.
g(x) and h(x) are consistent and
independent.