MODULE 1.

1
SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS

Linear Equation an equation involving first degree monomials such as

x 3y 5

1
x 5y 6
2

y 4 x 8 z

System of Linear Equations a set of equations consisting of two or more linear

equations.
Types
a.
b.
c.

of Systems of Linear Equation

Consistent System a system with a unique solution
Inconsistent System a system with no solution
Dependent System a system with infinitely many solutions

Solving Systems of Equations by Elimination and Substitution

Examples:
25 x 3 y 15

3 x 2 y 49

To eliminate variable i, multiply 2 to the first

equation and 3 to the second equation.

50 x 6 y 30

9 x 6 y 147

add the two equations

1.

59 x 177

solve for x

x3

3 3 2 y 49

x3
Substitute
in the first or second
equation to solve for y

9 2 y 49
2 y 40
y 20

Solution: (3,20)

3x 2 y 8 z 5

5 x 7 y 2 z 31
4 x y 6 z 16

(a )
(b)
(c )

2.
Add equation (a) and 2(c) to eliminate y

 3x 2 y 8 z 5

8 x 2 y 12 z 32
+

11 x 4 z 37

Use other two equations and eliminate the

same variable y. Add (b) and 7(c)

5 x 7 y 2 z 31

28 x 7 y 42 z 112

3x 4 z 13

11 x 4 z 37

3x 4 z 13

d
e

8 x 24

Let resulting equation be (d)

Let resulting equation be (e)

Subtract (e) from (d) to eliminate z

Solve for x

x3

3 3 4 z 13
4z 4
z 1
3 3 2 y 81 5

Substitute x=3 in (e), to solve for z

Substitute x=3 and z=1 in (a) to solve for y

2y 4
y2

3,2,1
Solution:
EXERCISE 1.1
A. Solve the following systems by elimination and substitution.
1
x y4
2
3 x 4 y 4

1.

x y 2z 5

2x 3 y 4z 2
4.
2 x 4 y 6 z 12

2 x 3 y 4 z 15

7 x 7 y 35

3 x 3 y 10

3 x 4 y 5 z 8

2.
5.
x 5y 6 0

3x 2 y 1

2x 3 y z 6 0

2 x y 2 z 4 4

5x 2 y 1

3.

3 x y z 7

6.

 2x y 5

4x 2 y t
B. Given the system

answer the following.

1. Determine a value of t so that the system has a solution.

2. Determine the value of t so that the system has no solution.
3. How many different values of t can be selected in no. 2?
C. Solve the problem using systems of linear equations.
An inheritance of $24,000 is to be divided among three trusts, with the second trust
receiving twice as much as the first trust. The three trusts pay interest at the rates of
9%, 10% and 6% annually, respectively, and return a total interest of $2210 at the
end of the first year. How much was invested in each trust?