Applications of Systems of Equations

Applications of Systems of Equations 1 / 17

Example 1

Suppose you work in a lab. You need a 15% acid solution for a certain
test, but your supplier only ships a 10% solution and a 30% solution. You
need 10 liters of the 15% acid solution. How many liters of 10% solution
and 30% solution should you use?

Let x = the amount of 10% and y = the amount of 30%

x + y = 10

0.10x + 0.30y = 0.15(10)

Applications of Systems of Equations 2 / 17

Example 1

(
x + y = 10
0.10x + 0.30y = 1.5

(
x + y = 10
(0.10x + 0.30y = 1.5) · 10

(
x + y = 10
x + 3y = 15

Applications of Systems of Equations 3 / 17

Example 1

x+ 3y = 15
- (x+ y = 10)
2y = 5

5
y= = 2.5
2

x + 2.5 = 10

x = 7.5
This means you need 7.5 liters of the 10% and 2.5 liters of the 30%

Applications of Systems of Equations 4 / 17

Example 2
The sum of 4 times a larger integer and 5 times a smaller integer is 7.
When twice the smaller integer is subtracted from 3 times the larger, the
result is 11. Find the integers.

Let x be the larger integer and y be the smaller integer

4x + 5y = 7

3x − 2y = 11

(
4x + 5y = 7
3x − 2y = 11

Applications of Systems of Equations 5 / 17

Example 2
(
(4x + 5y = 7) · 2
(3x − 2y = 11) · 5

(
8x + 10y = 14
15x − 10y = 55

8x + 10y = 14
+ (15x - 10y = 55)
23x = 69

Applications of Systems of Equations 6 / 17

Example 2

x =3

4(3) + 5y = 7

12 + 5y = 7

5y = −5

y = −1
The integers are 3 and −1

Applications of Systems of Equations 7 / 17

Example 3
A jar consisting of only nickels and dimes contains 58 coins. If the total
value is $4.20, how many of each coin is in the jar?

Let N be the number of nickels and D be the number of dimes

N + D = 58

5N + 10D = 420

(
N + D = 58
5N + 10D = 420

Applications of Systems of Equations 8 / 17

Example 3
(
(N + D = 58) · 5
5N + 10D = 420

(
5N + 5D = 290
5N + 10D = 420

5N + 5D = 290
- (5N + 10D = 420)
-5D = -130

Applications of Systems of Equations 9 / 17

Example 3

D = 26

N + 26 = 58

N = 32
There were 26 dimes and 32 nickels in the jar

Applications of Systems of Equations 10 / 17

Example 4
An 80% antifreeze concentrate is to be mixed with water to produce a
48-liter mixture containing 25% antifreeze. How much water and
antifreeze concentrate is needed?

Let A be the amount of antifreeze concentrate and W be the amount of

water

A + W = 48

0.80A + 0W = 0.25(48)

(
A + W = 48
0.80A = 12

Applications of Systems of Equations 11 / 17

Example 4

0.80A = 12

A = 15

15 + W = 48

W = 33
There were 15 liters of antifreeze concentrate and 33 liters of
water in the mixture

Applications of Systems of Equations 12 / 17

Example 5

An executive traveled a total of 4 hours and 875 miles by car and by plane.
Driving to the airport by car, she averaged 50 miles per hour. In the air,
the plane averaged 320 miles per hour. How long did it take her to drive
to the airport?

D =r ·t
Let x be the time in the car and y be the time on the plane

x +y =4

50x + 320y = 875

Applications of Systems of Equations 13 / 17

Example 5

(
(x + y = 4) · 50
50x + 320y = 875
(
50x + 50y = 200
50x + 320y = 875

50x + 50y = 200

- (50x + 320y = 875)
-270y = -675

Applications of Systems of Equations 14 / 17

Example 5

y = 2.5

x + 2.5 = 4

x = 1.5
Therefore, she spent 1.5 hours in the car and 2.5 hours on the plane

Applications of Systems of Equations 15 / 17

Example 6
A rowing team rowing with the current traveled 24 km in 3 h. Rowing
against the current, the team rowed 12 km in the same amount of time.
Find the rate of the rowing team in calm water and the rate of the
current.

Let x be the speed of the team and c be the speed of the current

24 = (x + c) · 3

12 = (x − c) · 3

(
3x + 3c = 24
3x − 3c = 12

Applications of Systems of Equations 16 / 17

Example 6

3x + 3c = 24
+ (3x - 3c = 12
6x = 36

x =6

3(6) + 3c = 24

18 + 3c = 24

3c = 6

c=2
The team rowed at 6 km/h and the current was 2 km/h
Applications of Systems of Equations 17 / 17