College Prep SECTION 4.2 Problem Solving: Systems of Linear Equations in 2 Variables
College Prep SECTION 4.2 Problem Solving: Systems of Linear Equations in 2 Variables
College Prep SECTION 4.2 Problem Solving: Systems of Linear Equations in 2 Variables
Objectives:
• Model and solve direct translation problems involving 2 linear equations in 2 unknowns.
• Model and solve Geometry, Mixture, and Uniform Motion Problems involving 2 linear equations in 2
unknowns.
• Find the Intersection of 2 linear functions.
Step 2: Translate.
3 drinks and 4 sandwiches cost $22.25, so 3 4 $22.25
2 drinks and 3 sandwiches cost $16.25, so 2 3 $16.25
Step 4: Check and Answer. One drink costs $1.75, One sub sandwich costs $4.25
EXAMPLE: Susie plans to enclose her rectangular garden with a picket fence. She purchased 38 feet of fencing
to enclose the garden, which is 5 feet longer than it is wide. Find the dimensions of her garden.
Step 1: Identify and Name. We want to know the width ( let w=width) and length (let l = length) of the garden.
Step 2: Translate. The perimeter (P) of the garden is 2 2. Since her fencing is enough for a perimeter
of 38 feet, we will use as one of our equations.
Step 4: Check and answer: The dimensions of Sue’s garden are: length of 12 feet, width of 7 feet.
MIXTURE PROBLEMS: Includes financial planning and blending quantities.
EXAMPLE: A recently retired couple needs $12,000 per year to supplement their Social Security. They have
$150,000 to invest. They have decided on two investments: Bonds yielding 10%, and a CD yielding
5%. How much should be invested in each to realize exactly $12,000?
Identify and name. How much should we place in bonds (let b=bonds) , and how much in CD’s (let
c=CD’s)?
Translate: The total amount invested is: bonds plus CD’s equaling $150,000, so ! " 150,000
The interest earned is: 10% on bonds plus 5% on CD’s equals $12,000, so . 10! .05" 12,000
Solve. Use substitution or elimination. Using substitution: ! " 150,000, ! 150,000 "
. 10
150,000 " .05" 12,000
15,000 .10" .05" 12,000 combine c’s and subtract 15,000
.05" 3,000 divide by -.05
# $%, %%%
Substitute back in: & 150,000 " 150,000 60,000 '%, %%%
EXAMPLE: A coffee distributor is blending a new coffee that will cost $3.90 per pound. It will consist of a blend
of $3.00-per-pound coffee and $6.00-per-pound coffee. What amounts of each type of coffee should
be mixed to make 10 pounds of the blend?
Identify: How much of each type should we use? Let A= $3.00 per pound coffee, and B=$6.00/pound coffee
Solve: Let’s use elimination this time. Multiply the first equation by -3.
3
+ , 10 3+ 3, 30
3+ 6, 39 3+ 6, 39 Add the equations.
3, 9, )
Answer: They should use 7 pounds of the $3.00 coffee and 3 pounds of the $6.00 coffee.
UNIFORM MOTION PROBLEMS: Problems using the formula / 01
EXAMPLE: With a tail wind, a small airplane can fly 600 miles in 3 hours. Against the same wind, the plane can
fly the same distance in 4 hours. Find the average wind speed, and the average airspeed of the
plane.
Identify: We want to know wind speed (let’s call it ) and airspeed of the plane (let’s call that 2).
Translate: With a tail wind, airspeed plus wind speed lets us go 600 miles in 3 hours. Using the -3 formula,
distance is 600, time is 3, so rate has to be the combination of speeds -- 2 (airspeed plus
windspeed). So our first equation is 600
2 3 - $%% 4
Against the wind, the rate would be airspeed minus windspeed, so 2 . The distance is the same,
so it’s 600, and the rate is 4 hours. Our second equation is 600
2 4 - $%% 54 5
Solve: Use elimination. Multiply the first equation by 4, and the second equation by 3.
4
600 32 3 2400 122 12
3
600 42 4 1800 122 12
Add equations: 4200 242
*. 4
Answer: Airspeed is 175 miles per hour, wind speed is 25 miles per hour.
FIND THE INTERSECTION OF TWO LINEAR FUNCTIONS – when are two linear functions equal?
EXAMPLE: A company sells its basic wood stove for $475. The variable costs of manufacturing the stove are
$175 per stove. The fixed monthly costs are $7500.
C) Graph the revenue function and the cost function on the same Cartesian plane.
y
Note that the scale on the y-axis is by 1000’s!
10 20 30 x
D) Find the break-even point (the point of intersection). Tell the number of wood stoves made and the revenue
at this point. (about (25, 11,875) - so 25 wood stoves made, $11,875 revenue)
Homework: page 280-284, # 3, 7, 9, 11, 15, 23, 25, 29, 31, 39 AND page 330-331, # 1, 5, 7, 11, 15, 19