CHAPTER

9
Solving Systems
of Linear Equations
Algebraically
Analysing linear relations is a skill that is required in many professions. Air
traffic controllers monitor the speed and altitude of airplanes. Electronic
engineers determine how to speed up computers. Chemical engineers analyse
the flow rates of mixtures. Business owners analyse market data. Consumers,
like you, make decisions about the things they buy. What is the cost? What is
the environmental impact of their purchases?

Sometimes, a graphical approach to solving a linear system takes too long. At

other times, it may not be accurate enough. An algebraic approach may provide
a faster and more precise solution.

Big Ideas
When you have completed this chapter, you will be able to …
• model mathematical relationships from problems
• relate a system of linear equations to a problem
• analyse linear relationships using different algebraic methods
• determine and verify the solution to a linear system using algebra
• select an appropriate method to solve a problem

Key Terms
substitution
method
elimination
method

Your Systems of Equations Organizer

Solve Solve
Graphically Algebraically

Solution

466 MHR • Chapter 9

 Air Traffic Controller
Air traffic controllers (ATCs) are
responsible for directing air traffic in the
sky and on the ground. They consider such
variables as changing weather patterns,
airplane types, and time of day. They may
work visually from a control tower. They can
also work electronically on a computer Web Link
screen. ATCs analyse numerical To learn more about becoming
relationships to do with wind an air traffic controller, go to
speeds, airplane specifications, www.mhrmath10.ca and
traffic, and rate of speed. follow the links.

Did You Know?

Many planes fly over
the Arctic on their way
to Europe. For this
reason, there are aircraft
monitoring sites in small
Arctic airports.

Make the following Foldable™ to take notes on what you will learn in
Chapter 9.

1 Fold a sheet of Chapte

r9 Solvin f
g 2 Fold two sheets 3 Label the inside centre as
so
System r
11 × 17 paper Lin ea of 8.5 × 11 paper shown. Label the back What I
ons
Equati ally
and label as Algeb
raic in half. Label as Need to Work On, and Project
shown. shown. Attach Ideas and Questions.
one sheet inside 9.3 Solving Problems
Using Systems of
the left flap and Linear Equations
9.1 9.2
Solvin
g Solvin
g one inside the
by by
Substit
ution Elimination right flap.

Chapter 9 • MHR 467

 9.1 Solving Systems of Linear
Equations by Substitution

Focus on …
• solving systems of
linear equations
algebraically using
substitution

This year, the environmental club is having a fundraiser. Members

are selling compact fluorescent light bulbs and 100% organic T-shirts
with natural dyes. The price of one T-shirt is three times the price of
one light bulb. You purchase two shirts and one light bulb for $42. If
you lost your receipt, how could you determine the unit price for a
light bulb and for a T-shirt?

Investigate Solving Systems of Linear

Equations by Substitution
In the following balance diagrams, each block is identical in mass.
Each cone is identical in mass.
Diagram 1

42 g

468 MHR • Chapter 9

Diagram 2

42 g

1. Describe how Diagram 2 relates to Diagram 1.

2. Describe how you could determine the mass of one block from
Diagram 2. What is the mass of one block?

3. What is the mass of one cone? How did you determine your
answer?

4. Write an equation for each balance scale in Diagram 1.

Remember to state what your variables represent.

5. Write an equation for Diagram 2.

6. Suppose the mass of a block represents the cost of one light

bulb, the mass of a cone represents the cost of one T-shirt, and
each gram represents one dollar. Use algebra to show how you
can determine the cost of one light bulb and the cost of one
T-shirt for the scenario on page 468.

7. Reflect and Respond Use diagrams to explain how to

determine the mass of a single pyramid and the mass of a
single cylinder for the following scenario.
• Five pyramids and three cylinders have a mass of 44 g.
• Two pyramids have the same mass as one cylinder.

pyramid cylinder

8. Use algebra to determine the mass of one pyramid, p, Web Link

and the mass of one cylinder, c. To practise the algebraic
method with a virtual scale,
9. Describe a situation where using a diagram is less effective go to www.mhrmath10.ca
than using algebra. and follow the links.

9.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution • MHR 469

 Link the Ideas
The skill of substituting algebraic expressions is used regularly in
substitution method math and science. The substitution method can provide a quick
• an algebraic method solution to a linear system.
of solving a system of
equations
Solve the following linear system.
• Solve one equation for 4x + 5y = 26
one variable, substitute 3x = y - 9
that value into the
other equation, and
First, solve for y in 3x = y - 9.
solve for the other 3x + 9 = y - 9 + 9
variable. 3x + 9 = y
Substitute 3x + 9 for y in 4x + 5y = 26.
4x + 5(3x + 9) = 26
4x + 15x + 45 = 26
19x + 45 = 26
19x + 45 - 45 = 26 - 45
19x = -19
_
19x = _-19
19 19
x = -1

Substitute -1 for x in 3x = y - 9.
3(-1) = y - 9
-3 = y - 9
-3 + 9 = y - 9 + 9
6=y

Example 1 Solve a System of Linear Equations by Substitution

Admission to the 2009 Abbotsford International
Did You Know?
Airshow cost $80 for a car with two adults
The Abbotsford Airshow and three children. Admission for a car
is held every August in
with two adults cost $50. Use algebra to
Abbotsford, BC. It is one
of the largest events of
determine the cost for one child and the
its kind in the world. cost for one adult. There was no charge
for the vehicle or parking.

Solution
We often use
Let C represent the cost for one child, in dollars. variables that are
Let A represent the cost for one adult, in dollars. capital letters to
represent values of
For the first car, 2A + 3C = 80. money.

For the second car, 2A = 50. How do the equations represent

the cost of admission for the first
Determine the admission prices. and second cars?

470 MHR • Chapter 9

Method 1: Solve for A First
The second equation has only one variable. So, determine the cost
for one adult first.
2A = 50
A = 25
Solve for C by replacing A with 25.
2A + 3C = 80 You can also replace 2A with 50.
2(25) + 3C = 80
50 + 3C = 80
3C = 30 If 50 + 3C = 80, how do you know that 3C = 30?
C = 10 What does the value 10 represent?

Method 2: Solve for C First

Use substitution.
50 + 3C = 80 Replace 2A with 50 in the equation.

Solve for C.
50 + 3C = 80
3C = 30
C = 10
Solve for A by replacing C with 10.
2A + 3(10) = 80
2A + 30 = 80
2A = 50 If 2A = 50, how do you know that A = 25?
A = 25 What does the value 25 represent?

Check:
Substitute into the original equations, 2A + 3C = 80 and 2A = 50.
Left Side Right Side
2A + 3C 80 You can also check your
solution by graphing.
= 2(25) + 3(10)
= 50 + 30
= 80
Left Side = Right Side
Left Side Right Side
2A 50
= 2(25)
= 50
Left Side = Right Side
The admission price is $10 for a child and $25 for an adult.

Your Turn
Solve the following linear system algebraically using substitution.
3x + 5y = 27
4x = 16

9.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution • MHR 471

 Example 2 Isolate a Variable Before Solving by Substitution
At a dance recital, there were 220 people. Tickets cost $9 for an
adult and $6 for a child. The dance school collected $1614 in
ticket sales. How many adults and how many children attended
the recital?

Solution
Let a be the number of adults at the recital.
Let c be the number of children at the recital.
Write an equation that represents the total number of adults
and children.
You can number the equations to make it easier
a + c = 220 q to refer to them throughout the solution.
Write an equation that represents the amount collected by the
dance school.
9a + 6c = 1614 w
Isolate a variable in one of the equations.

Method 1: Isolate the Variable c in q

a + c = 220
c = 220 - a You can isolate the variable c in q easily
because the coefficient of the variable is 1.
Substitute for c in w.
9a + 6(220 - a) = 1614
9a + 1320 - 6a = 1614
3a + 1320 = 1614
3a = 294
a = 98 What does the value 98 represent?

Substitute the number of adults into q to finish solving the system.

98 + c = 220
c = 122 What does the value 122 represent?

472 MHR • Chapter 9

Method 2: Isolate the Variable c in w
9a + 6c = 1614
6c = 1614 - 9a
c = 269 - _
9a Compare isolating c in Method 2 with isolating c in
6 Method 1. Why does Method 2 take more steps?

Substitute for c in q.
a + 269 - _
( 9 a = 220
)
6
_
3
- a + 269 = 220
6
_
- 1 a + 269 = 220
2
-_1 a = -49
2
_
1
- a(-2) = -49(-2)
2
a = 98
Substitute a in q to finish solving the system.
98 + c = 220
c = 122
Check:
Substitute into q and w.
Left Side Right Side
a+c 220
= 98 + 122
= 220
Left Side = Right Side
Left Side Right Side
9a + 6c 1614
= 9(98) + 6(122)
= 882 + 732
= 1614
Left Side = Right Side
Which method do you prefer?
At the dance recital, there were 98 adults and 122 children Why? How might the solution
be different if you isolated the
in attendance. variable a instead of c?

Your Turn
Solve the following linear system algebraically using substitution.
Check your solution.
2x + y = 13
x - 0.4y = -16

9.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution • MHR 473

 Key Ideas
• You can solve systems of linear equations algebraically using
substitution.
 Isolate a single variable in one of the two equations.
 Where possible, choose a variable with a coefficient of 1.
Solve the linear system.
3x + 2y = -11 q
-2x + y = 12 w
Isolate the variable y in w since its coefficient is 1.
y = 12 + 2x
Substitute the expression for y in q.
3x + 2(12 + 2x) = -11
3x + 24 + 4x = -11
7x + 24 = -11
7x = -35
x = -5
 Substitute the solution for the first variable into one of the
original equations. Solve for the remaining variable.
-2(-5) + y = 12
10 + y = 12
y=2
 Check your answer by substituting into both original equations.

Check Your Understanding

Practise
1. Solve the following systems of linear equations by first
substituting for y.
a) y = 3x + 2 b) y = -3x c) y = x - 7
x + y = 14 y - x = 24 x + y = 17

2. Solve the following linear systems by substitution.

a) 2x - 3y = 10 b) m = 8j c) 2k = 6n + 9
x+y=0 -m + 2 = -7j n - 2k = -4

3. Solve each linear system two ways. First, solve by isolating x.

Then, solve by isolating y. For each linear system, explain
which method you prefer and why.
a) y = 0.3x - 5 b) y = 10 - 2.2x c)
_x = 5 - y
2
1.7x + y = 9 5x + y = 70 x+y=7

474 MHR • Chapter 9

4. Solve the following systems of linear equations. Check your
answers.
_1
a) y = x - 5 b)
__
y-x
=5 c) 3y =
_1 - _
2x
3 2 3 3
_
y
x - = 13 x+_
3y = 4 x + _ = 12
3y
5 4 2
5. Jaret and Helen are going to solve the following system of
equations.
2x = 3y + 6
3x + y - 20 = 0
As an intial step, Jaret decides to isolate x in the first equation.

The variable x
can be isolated by
dividing both sides
of the equation by 2.

As an intial step, Helen decides to isolate y in the second

equation.

The variable y can be

isolated by subtracting
3x from both sides and
adding 20 to both sides.

a) Solve this system using Jaret’s method. Then, solve it using

Helen’s method.
b) Explain which method you prefer.

6. The sum of two numbers is 20. Twice one number is four more
than four times the other. Write a system of linear equations
and determine both numbers.

7. The graph represents the solution y

8
to the following linear system.
y = 2x + 3 y = 2x + 3
6
6x + 3y = 13
a) What are the coordinates of 4
the point of intersection?
2
b) Solve the linear system using
the substitution method.
c) Compare your answers for parts -1 0 1 2 3 x
6x + 3y = 13
a) and b). What is the advantage -2

of the algebraic approach?

9.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution • MHR 475

 8. a) Solve the following system of linear equations by substitution.
0.1y = 0.3x - 1.5
x - 0.2y = 5.6
b) Multiply both sides of each equation by 10 first. Then, solve
by substitution. How does the multiplication by 10 help you
to solve?
c) Solve the system graphically.
d) Which of the three methods do you prefer? Explain.

Apply
Solve problems 9 to 20 using the substitution
method. Check your answers.
9. An 82-m cable is cut into two
pieces. One piece is 18 m longer
than the other. What is the length
of each piece?

10. Whitehorse, YT, has three times as much snowfall each year as
Vancouver, BC. The total combined snowfall for these two cities
is approximately 192 cm. What is the snowfall in each city?

11. Alaina has $72 and earns $6 each day. Joel has $48 and earns
$8 each day. In how many days will Joel have as much money
as Alaina?

12. In Manitoba, teenagers watch approximately 11 fewer hours of

TV each week than adults do. The sum of the hours watched per
week for an adult and a teenager is about 37 h. Approximately
how many hours per week do teenagers watch?

13. A young Colorado blue spruce tree is growing at a rate of

20 cm per year. Currently, it
is 244 cm tall. A 300-cm
tall white spruce tree
is growing at a rate of
12 cm per year. In
how many years 244 cm 300 cm
will the two trees
be the same height?

476 MHR • Chapter 9

14. Rory’s grandmother is 58 years older than Rory. In 5 years, they
plan to have a party to celebrate that their ages have a sum of
100. How old are they now?

15. Unit Project A section of a local habitat was damaged

during a storm. A local company wishes to preserve the
wetland and ensure water quality. The organizers decide to
replace some of the bushes and trees. They place two orders
with a nursery.
• One order is for 40 bushes and 12 trees. It totals $1484.
• The other order is for 25 bushes and 18 trees. It totals $1421.
Create and solve a system of linear equations to determine the
cost of one bush and the cost of one tree.

16. In Amir’s coin collection, the number of dimes is one more

than three times the number of nickels. The total number of 22000099

nickels and dimes is 69.

a) Amir also has 40 quarters in his collection. How many more
dimes than quarters does he have? How many more quarters
than nickels does he have?
b) Explain why you can solve this problem without knowing
the value of a nickel, dime, or quarter.

17. Students from two schools went on a trip to the Wascana Web Link
Waterfowl Park in Regina, SK. They learned about the value of For more information about
conserving natural resources. School A rented and filled 8 vans Wascana Waterfowl Park,
and 8 buses with 400 people. School B rented and filled 4 vans go to www.mhrmath10.ca
and follow the links.
and 1 bus with 68 people. Every van had the same number
of students in it, as did every bus. Determine the number of
students in each van and in each bus.

9.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution • MHR 477

 18. Water is used during each step of bread manufacturing, from
Did You Know?
processing the wheat into flour to making the bread itself. Less
Making white bread water is used to produce a slice of whole-wheat bread than a slice
requires 45% more water
of white bread.
than making whole-
wheat bread. It takes • To produce 60 slices of whole-wheat bread and 10 slices of
more flour to make white white bread, 2080 L of water are used.
bread. Also, the flour • To produce 20 slices of whole-wheat bread and 50 slices of
requires extra processing
white bread, 2560 L of water are used.
to remove the brown
colour.
How many litres of water are used to produce one slice of whole-
wheat bread? How many litres of water are used to produce one
slice of white bread?

19. Andrew has a collection of 132 coins that consists of quarters

and loonies. The value of the collection is $77.25. He wants to
determine the number of quarters and the number of loonies he
has without counting.

q + n = 132 and 0.25q + 1.00n = 77.25, where q is the number of quarters and
n is the number of loonies.
0.25q + 1.00(132 - q) = 77.25 Step 1
100(0.25q) + (1.00)(132 - q) = (100)77.25 Step 2
25q + 1.00(132 - q) = 7725 Step 3
25q + 132 - q = 7725 Step 4
24q = 7593 Step 5
q=
_
7593
Step 6
24
Andrew stopped when he realized he had made a mistake.
a) How did Andrew know q =
_
7593 could not be correct?
24
b) Identify where Andrew made the first error in his work.
c) Solve the linear system correctly.

20. Solve the following linear systems. Express your answers

as fractions.
_1
a) y = x - 2 b)
_1 x + 4y = _
47
7 3 15
5x = 3y + 1 5x + 2y = 3.5

478 MHR • Chapter 9

Extend
21. On a graph, a line with the equation y = mx + b passes through
the points (2, 7) and (5, 1). Solve a linear system algebraically
to determine the values of m and b. Include a diagram of the
coordinate plane with your solution.

22. Arman walks to the train station at 5 km/h. He misses his train
by 1 min. If he had run at 10 km/h, he would have had 2 min to
spare. How far is it to the station?

23. In science, students frequently study simple electrical

circuits. The relationship between
the resistance of a circuit, R, the
current, I, and the voltage, V,
is V = RI. The relationship
between the power, P, the
voltage, and the current is
P = VI. Use substitution
to write a formula that
determines the power from
the resistance and the
current. Show your work.

24. Use substitution to show that the linear system y = 2x + 5 and

2y - 4x = -15 has no solution. How do you know there is no
solution?

Create Connections
25. Compare solving a linear system by substitution to solving
graphically.
a) How are the methods similar?
b) How are the methods different?

26. Choose a question from section 9.1 that has a system of linear
equations.
a) Solve the system using a graphical approach.
b) Compare the graphical solution to the solution using
substitution. Which method do you prefer for solving this
system of equations? Explain.

9.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution • MHR 479

 9.2 Solving Systems of Linear
Equations by Elimination

Focus on …
• writing equivalent
equations to eliminate
a variable
• solving systems of
linear equations
algebraically using Environmental clubs promote many activities and products that
elimination
are environmentally friendly. They promote chemical-free foods
such as organic coffee. They also promote products that minimize
waste. These include reusable shopping bags, and food and drink
containers. What other similar products can you think of?
Did You Know?
Fair trade products are For their fundraiser, an environmental club is selling reusable
goods from developing shopping bags and organic fair-trade coffee. Two recent sales were:
countries. They are • three bags and two packets of coffee for $17
priced to ensure that • one bag and one packet of coffee for $7
the producers receive
fair payment. How could you determine the unit price of one bag and one packet
of coffee?

Investigate Solving Systems of Equations

by Elimination
In the following balance diagrams, each block is identical in mass.
Each cone is identical in mass.
Diagram 1
A B

17 g 7g

480 MHR • Chapter 9

Diagram 2
A B

7g 7g 7g 7g
3g

1. Explain why scale B in Diagram 2 is balanced.

2. Draw a diagram of a scale balance to show how to determine

the mass of one block.

3. Explain how you can determine the mass of the cone given the
mass of the block.

4. Write equations for each scale in Diagram 1.

5. Use algebra to show how you would change scale B in Diagram 1

in order to write the equation for scale B in Diagram 2.

6. Use algebra to show how you can write the equation for the
scale in your diagram from the two equations in Diagram 2.

7. Suppose the mass of a block represents the cost of one bag, the
mass of a cone represents the cost of one packet of coffee, and
each gram represents one dollar. How can you determine the
cost of one bag and the cost of one coffee packet using algebra
for the scenario on page 480?

8. Reflect and Respond Use diagrams to

explain how to determine the mass of
a single pyramid and the mass of a single pyramid cylinder
cylinder for the following scenario.
• Four pyramids and three cylinders have a
mass of 23 g.
• Two pyramids and five cylinders have a mass of 29 g.
Web Link
9. Determine algebraically the mass of one pyramid, p, and the To practise your algebraic
mass of one cylinder, c. skills using a virtual
balance, go to
10. Could you use the substitution method to solve this www.mhrmath10.ca and
Investigate? Explain. follow the links.

9.2 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Elimination • MHR 481

 Link the Ideas
elimination method You can solve a system of linear equations using the elimination
• an algebraic method method . To do this, a variable in both equations must have the
of solving a system of same or opposite coefficient. It is often necessary to multiply one
equations or both equations by a constant.
• Add or subtract the
equations to eliminate For example, solve the following linear system:
one variable and solve
for the other variable.
6a + 5b = 24
4a + 3b = 12
In order to eliminate variable a, you need to multiply the first
equation by 2. Multiply the second equation by 3. Now, both
equations will contain the term 12a.
2(6a + 5b) = 2(24) Why should you choose a constant with the
3(4a + 3b) = 3(12) smallest possible value?

Example 1 Solve a System of Linear Equations by Elimination

Connor downloaded two orders of games
and songs. The first order consisted of five
games and four songs for $26. The second
order consisted of three games and two
songs for $15. All games cost the same
amount, and all songs cost the
same amount. Write a system
of linear equations. Then,
determine the cost of one song
and the cost of one game.

Solution
Let S represent the cost of one downloaded song, in dollars.
Let G represent the cost of one downloaded game, in dollars.

Write two linear equations. Write an equation to represent

the first order.
How does q represent the cost
5G + 4S = 26 q of five games and four songs?
Write an equation to represent the second order.
3G + 2S = 15 w
Determine which variable to eliminate. One strategy is to examine
each variable in both equations. Look for a least common multiple
for the coefficients of the G terms or the S terms.
5G + 4 S = 26 The coefficients of the term 4S in q and the
term 2S in w have a least common multiple
3G + 2 S = 15 of 4.

482 MHR • Chapter 9

Multiply w by -2 so that there is You can also multiply by 2. Then,
you can subtract the equations.
an opposite S term to -4S in q. Then,
you can add the equations to eliminate
the S term.
-2(3G + 2S) = -2(15)
-6G - 4S = -30 e
Add e and q to eliminate the S terms.
-6G - 4S = -30
+ (5G + 4S = 26)
-G = -4 Solve for G.
G = 4 What does the value 4 represent?

Solve for the remaining variable, S, by substituting 4 for G

in q or w.
5(4) + 4S = 26
20 + 4S = 26
4S = 6
S = 1.5 What does the value 1.5 represent?

Check:
Substitute into q and w.
Left Side Right Side
5G + 4S 26
= 5(4) + 4(1.5)
= 20 + 6
= 26
Left Side = Right Side
Left Side Right Side
3G + 2S 15
= 3(4) + 2(1.5)
= 12 + 3
= 15
Left Side = Right Side
The cost of one game is $4.00, and the cost of
one song is $1.50.

Your Turn
A group of people bought tickets for a
University of Alberta basketball playoff
game. Two student tickets and six
adult tickets cost $102. Eight
student tickets and three adult
tickets cost $114. What was the
price for a single adult ticket?
What was the price for a single
student ticket?

9.2 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Elimination • MHR 483

 Example 2 Solve a System of Linear Equations Using a Table
and Elimination
A crop farmer has contracted with the Pacific Carbon Trust (PCT)
Did You Know?
to convert some of her cropland into woodland. This will create a
A carbon sink is the carbon sink that is used to offset the production of carbon resulting
term used for trees and
from her farm activities. The farmer has 500 ha of cropland. She
plants that absorb carbon
atoms into their roots
earns approximately $220/ha from the crops. The PCT will pay her
and leaves. Carbon sinks $60 for every hectare of cropland that she converts. She would like
reduce the amount of a minimum revenue of $90 800 that year. Using the elimination
carbon dioxide in the method, determine the number of hectares that she needs to convert
atmosphere. Why might to woodland. How many hectares of cropland would be left?
this be important?

Solution
Let c represent the number of hectares of cropland.
Let w represent the number of hectares of woodland.
Organize the information in a table.
Type of Revenue Generated Number of Revenue
Land Per Hectare ($) Hectares Generated ($)
Cropland 220 c 220c
Woodland 60 w 60w
Total 500 90 800

Write an equation to show the total number of hectares.

c + w = 500 q

Write an equation to determine

the revenue created.
220c + 60w = 90 800 w The farmer wants a minimum revenue of
$90 800.

484 MHR • Chapter 9

Determine which variable to eliminate. One strategy is to
examine each variable in both equations. Then, identify the
coefficient, other than 1, that is closest to zero.
c + w = 500
220c + 60w = 90 800 The term 60w in w has the coefficient
closest to zero.
Multiply q by -60 so that there
is an opposite w term.
-60(c + w) = -60(500) What do you multiply q by if you want to
-60c - 60w = -30 000 e subtract the equations?

Add w and e to eliminate the w terms.

220c + 60w = 90 800
+ (-60c - 60w = -30 000)
160c = 60 800
c = 380 What does the value 380 represent?

Solve for the remaining variable, w, by substitution.

380 + w = 500 Why is it more efficient to use q instead of
w = 120 w to solve for w?
What does the value 120 represent?
Check:
Substitute into q and w.
Left Side Right Side
c+w 500
= 380 + 120
= 500
Left Side = Right Side
Left Side Right Side
220c + 60w 90 800
= 220(380) + 60(120)
= 83 600 + 7200
= 90 800
Left Side = Right Side

To generate a revenue of $90 800, the farmer could convert up

to 120 ha to woodland. This would leave 380 ha for cropland.

Your Turn
During lunch, the cafeteria sold a total of 160 muffins and
individual yogurts. The price of each muffin is $1.50. Each
container of yogurt is $2.00. The cafeteria collected $273.50.
Set up and solve a linear system in order to determine the
number of muffins and the number of yogurts sold.

9.2 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Elimination • MHR 485

 Example 3 Solve a System of Linear Equations in Different
Forms by Elimination
The perimeter of a rectangular garden is 17.00 m. Triple the length
is 2.46 m longer than five times the width. Sketch and label a
diagram. Create a system of linear equations to determine the
dimensions of the rectangle. Solve the system using elimination.

Solution
l

P = 17.00 m w

Let w represent the width of the rectangle, in metres.

Let l represent the length of the rectangle, in metres.

Write an equation to represent the perimeter.

2w + 2l = 17.00 q

Write an equation to represent the difference in the dimensions.

3l = 5w + 2.46 w

Rearrange w so that it is in the form ax + by = c, similar to q.

3l - 5w = 5w + 2.46 - 5w
-5w + 3l = 2.46 e

Decide whether you need to multiply one or both equations by a

constant to eliminate a variable. Multiply q by 3 and multiply e
by -2 so that there are opposite l terms.
3(2w + 2l) = 3(17.00)
6w + 6l = 51.00 r

-2(-5w + 3l) = -2(2.46)

10w - 6l = -4.92 t

486 MHR • Chapter 9

Add r and t to eliminate l.
10w - 6l = -4.92
+ (6w + 6l = 51.00)
16w = 46.08 Solve for w.
w = 2.88
Solve for l by substituting into w.
3l = 5w + 2.46
3l = 5(2.88) + 2.46
3l = 14.40 + 2.46
3l = 16.86
l = 5.62
Check:
Substitute into q and w.
Left Side Right Side
2w + 2l 17.00
= 2(2.88) + 2(5.62)
= 5.76 + 11.24
= 17.00
Left Side = Right Side
Left Side Right Side
3l 5w + 2.46
= 3(5.62) = 5(2.88) + 2.46
= 16.86 = 14.40 + 2.46
= 16.86
Left Side = Right Side
The garden has a width of 2.88 m. Its length is 5.62 m.

Your Turn
A rectangular parking pad for a car has a perimeter of 12.2 m.
The width is 0.7 m shorter than the length. Use a linear system
to determine the dimensions of the pad.

9.2 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Elimination • MHR 487

 Key Ideas
• A table can help you organize information in a problem. This
can help you to determine the equations in a linear system.
• You can solve a linear system by elimination.
3x + 2y + 6 = 0
7y = 5x + 41
 If necessary, rearrange the equations so that like variables
appear in the same position in both equations. The most
common form is ax + by = c.
3x + 2y + 6 = 0 7y = 5x + 41
3x + 2y = -6 q -5x + 7y = 41 w
 Determine which variable to eliminate. If necessary, multiply
one or both equations by a constant to eliminate the variable
by addition or subtraction.
Multiply q by 5 and w by 3 so that the coefficients of the
terms involving x add to zero.
5(3x + 2y) = 5(-6) 3(-5x + 7y) = 3(41)
15x + 10y = -30 e -15x + 21y = 123 r
Add e and r to eliminate x.
15x + 10y = -30
You can also multiply by -3
+ (-15x + 21y = 123)
or by -5 and then subtract.
31y = 93
 Solve for the remaining variable.
31y = 93
y=3
 Solve for the second variable by substituting the value for the
first variable into one of the original equations.
7(3) = 5x + 41
21 = 5x + 41
-20 = 5x
-4 = x
• Check your solution by substituting each value into both
original equations.

Check Your Understanding

Practise
1. Solve using elimination.
a) x + y = 10 b) x + 2y = 13 c) y - 2x = -4
x-y=4 x-y=8 y + 3x = 16

488 MHR • Chapter 9

 2. Rearrange the equations so that the variables are ordered in the
same way for both equations.
a) y - 3x = 11 b) x + 7 = y c) 4 - 3y = x
x - y = -5 2x + y = -8 x - y = 16

3. Use the table to set up a linear system. ADMIT ON

Use the elimination method to A d u lt E
$ 13 ADMIT ONE
determine the number of tickets sold to: Student
$ 10
a) adults b) students

Ticket Price Per Number of Tickets Revenue Collected

Type Ticket ($) Sold by Type by Theatre ($)
Students 10 s 10s
Adults 13 a 13a
Total 430 4804

4. Solve the following systems of linear equations by elimination.

Check your answers.
a) 3x + 2y = 7 b) 7x - 6y = 27 c) 4y + 29 = 3x
4x + 5y = 14 2x + 9y = -3 8x + 7 = 3y

5. Solve using the elimination method. Leave your answers in

fraction form.
a) 3x + 2y = 10 b)
_x - y = _3 c) 2 -
_y = _x
3 5 2 3
2x - y = 4 x + 6y = 4 _2 (2x - 3y) = 4
3
6. Solve the following system. Explain the result.
3x + 2y = 7
9x + 6y = 16

Apply
Solve problems 7 to 14 using the elimination method. Check
your answers.
7. A preschool playground has both bicycles and tricycles.
Did You Know?
There is a total of 30 seats and 70 wheels. How many
bicycles are there? How many tricycles are there? Communities in Bloom
is a national non-profit
8. Students at Evergreen High School want to organization dedicated
help the community with the Communities in to the creation and
maintenance of green
Bloom project. They decide to sell flower bulbs
spaces in urban settings.
to raise money. Nancy sells 10 bags of tulip bulbs On September 20, 2008,
and 12 bags of iris bulbs for $380. Shawn sells Lethbridge, AB, hosted
6 bags of tulip bulbs and 8 bags of iris bulbs for the 14th Communities in
$244. What is the cost of one bag of tulip bulbs? Bloom National Awards
What is the cost of one bag of iris bulbs? Ceremony.

9.2 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Elimination • MHR 489

 9. At the snack bar, five toasted bagels and three cans of juice cost
$12.50. Three toasted bagels and six cans of juice cost $12.75.
What is the price for one bagel? What is the price for one juice?

10. A total of 430 dogs and

people attended the Woof
Walk fundraiser. Altogether,
1210 legs participated in
the walk. How many dogs
were there?

11. A ferry is carrying 600 vehicles, including trucks and passenger

vehicles. The fees collected total $29 200. The charge per truck is
$100. The charge per passenger vehicle is $45. How many trucks
and how many passenger vehicles is the ferry carrying?

12. An avalanche rescue team travels 8.55 km along a snow-covered

trail. For the first section, the trail is flat. The team averages a
speed of 2.7 km/h. Then, the terrain becomes mountainous and
their average speed is only 1.2 km/h. The one-way trip takes the
team 4.0 h. Determine the distance that the team travels on each
type of terrain.

13. Soo Jin had basketball practice after school. Then, she cycled
Did You Know?
home. Playing basketball, she expends energy at a rate of 25 kJ
A Joule (J) is the energy per minute. Cycling home, she burns energy at a rate of 21 kJ per
involved when a force
minute. She spent a total of 90 min doing both forms of exercise.
of 1 N (newton) acts to
move an object through
During this time, she expended a total of 2178 kJ of energy. How
a distance of 1 m. much time did she spend doing each activity?

14. Unit Project Sharon estimates that she saves 260 L of water per
week by washing her car with a bucket and sponge. Her sister
Bev washes her car with a hose, which uses more water. Sharon’s
washing machine uses 225 L of water per load. Bev has upgraded
to a washing machine that uses only 95 L of water per load. Both
sisters wash the same number of loads of laundry per week. Both
wash their car once a week.
a) Develop a system of equations representing their water usage
in one week.
b) When their water usage is the same, how many loads of
laundry does each sister do in one week?
c) If each sister does eight loads of laundry per week, who uses
more water weekly? Explain.

490 MHR • Chapter 9

Extend
15. Simplify. Then, solve the following linear systems using
elimination.
a) 3(x + 2) + 7y = 11 b) 5x - 2(y + 4) = y - 3x
-5(3 - x) + 9y = -12 2(x + 8y) - 4y = 9x

16. Brittany invested a total of $3000 in two different investments.

The safer investment earned 3.5% interest by the end of the year.
The riskier investment earned 5.2% interest by the end of the
year. Her total interest earned was $126.25. How much did she
invest in the safer investment?

17. Milk that has 3.25% milk fat (MF)

Did You Know?
is mixed with milk that has 1% MF.
What volume of each is needed to Milk fat, or butterfat, is
the fatty portion of milk.
obtain 60 L of milk that has 3% MF?
Milk and cream are sold
Express your answers to the nearest according to the amount
tenth of a litre. of milk fat they contain.

18. Determine the value of k so that 6x + 4y = 7 and kx + 8y = 7

do not have a common solution.

19. The solution to the system 10x + 12y = -18 and 5x + 4y = b is

(9, a). What can b and a be? Is there more than one possibility?
Explain.

Create Connections
20. a) Choose a question from section 9.2 and solve it using the
substitution method.
b) Explain why you selected the question you did.
c) Are there any questions in section 9.2 that do not suit
being solved using the substitution method? Explain.

21. What do you need to consider when choosing whether to use

the substitution method or the elimination method to solve a
system of linear equations? Provide examples to clarify your
explanation.

9.2 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Elimination • MHR 491

 9.3 Solving Problems Using Systems
of Linear Equations

Focus on …
• choosing a strategy to
solve a problem that
involves a system of
linear equations

Many people drive hybrid vehicles because these cars consume less
Did You Know?
gas. Some people drive hybrids to reduce their ecological footprint.
Dog teams are making a Others like the savings in the cost of gas. How can you determine if
comeback in the Arctic. a hybrid is cost efficient?
Part of the reason is that
dog teams do not need
gas or expensive parts.

Investigate Solving a Problem Involving a

System of Linear Equations
Materials A sample price for a hybrid car is $28 000. The price of a similar
• graphing calculator car powered by gas is $21 500. The hybrid vehicle costs $0.18
or computer with per kilometre to operate. The non-hybrid vehicle costs $0.22 per
spreadsheet software
kilometre to operate.
1. Write a system of linear equations that models the total cost
for each vehicle in relation to the distance travelled.

492 MHR • Chapter 9

 2. Solve the linear system using a graphing calculator or
spreadsheet software. After how many kilometres will
the hybrid car be more cost efficient?

3. a) Solve the same system of equations from step 1

algebraically. Use either the substitution method
or the elimination method.
b) Explain why you chose the method you did.

4. Reflect and Respond Compare and contrast the following

three methods of solving a system of linear equations:
• graphically
• algebraically by substitution
• algebraically by elimination
Include examples.

5. Compare your response to step 4 with a classmate’s.

Note any insights that your classmate provides.

Link the Ideas

You can use graphical or algebraic methods to solve systems
of linear equations. Each method has its advantages and
disadvantages.

Method Advantages Disadvantages

Graphical • provides a visual that can • can be time-consuming
show how two variables • may not provide an exact
relate solution
• can be done with or without
a graphing calculator
• can result in an accurate and
quick solution when using a
graphing calculator
Algebraic • allows for an exact solution • does not provide any visual
relatively quickly insight into how the two
• can be done using more than variables relate
one method (substitution • can result in an incorrect
and elimination) answer due to a minor
arithmetic error

9.3 Solving Problems Using Systems of Linear Equations • MHR 493

 Example 1 Compare Methods of Solving
Jeremy and Shilan participated in their
school’s Plant-a-thon fundraiser. Jeremy
started planting seedlings at 10:00 a.m.
He planted at a steady rate of one tree
per minute. Shilan started planting at
11:30 a.m. Her planting rate was three
trees every 2 min.
a) At what time had they planted the same
number of trees? Use a system of linear equations to find out.
Solve the system using a graphing calculator and algebraically.
b) Which method do you prefer? Why?

Solution
a) Let n represent the number of trees that were planted after 11:30 a.m.
Let m represent the number of minutes that have passed since
11:30 a.m. Determine equations for the number of trees planted
by Jeremy and Shilan.
For Jeremy: n = 90 + 1m Jeremy started at 10:00 a.m. He planted at a
steady rate of one tree per minute. What does
90 represent in the equation?
For Shilan: n = 1.5m Shilan planted three trees every 2 min. What
does 1.5 represent in the equation?

Method 1: Solve Using a Graphing Calculator

Graph the equations using a calculator.

Determine an appropriate window and graph it.

The point of intersection is (180, 270).

494 MHR • Chapter 9

 Check:
Substitute the intersection point into the original equations.
For Jeremy: For Shilan:
Left Side Right Side Left Side Right Side
n = 270 90 + 1m n = 270 1.5m
= 90 + 180 = 1.5(180)
= 270 = 270
Left Side = Right Side Left Side = Right Side

Method 2: Solve Algebraically

In both equations, n is isolated. Therefore, the substitution
method is an appropriate algebraic method.
Write Shilan’s planting rate to be equal to Jeremy’s rate.
1.5m = 90 + 1m
0.5m = 90 Solve for m.
m = 180
Solve for n by substituting into one of the initial equations.
n = 1.5m
n = 1.5(180)
n = 270
Check:
Substitute into the original equations.
For Jeremy: For Shilan:
Left Side Right Side Left Side Right Side
n = 270 90 + 1m n = 270 1.5m
= 90 + 180 = 1.5(180)
= 270 = 270
Left Side = Right Side Left Side = Right Side
Both Jeremy and Shilan had planted 270 trees 180 min after
Shilan started. 180 min = 3 h and 11:30 a.m. + 3 h = 2:30 p.m.
They had planted the same number of trees at 2:30 p.m.

b) The algebraic method is preferable. For the graphing method,

the equations were already in the form y = mx + b, so it was
easy to graph. However, it took some time to find a reasonable
window to determine the intersection point. For the algebraic
method, the substitution method was easy to use, since both
equations were in the form y = mx + b.

Your Turn
Solve the following system of linear equations algebraically
and graphically. Which method do you prefer? Explain.
y = 0.25x - 200
3x + 2y = 160

9.3 Solving Problems Using Systems of Linear Equations • MHR 495

 Example 2 Compare Algebraic Methods
At the Métis People Pavilion,
Did You Know? visitors can enjoy bannock and
There are numerous buffalo stew. A recent sale of three
multicultural festivals orders of stew and two orders of
across western Canada.
bannock cost $13.50. A second sale
People celebrate and
learn about the culture,
of four orders of stew and five
food, and entertainment orders of bannock cost $21.50.
of various ethnic and a) Use a system of linear equations
indigenous groups. Every to determine the price of one
August, the Folklorama order of bannock and the price
Festival in Winnipeg and
of one order of stew. Solve the
Folkfest in Saskatoon
have a Métis pavilion.
system algebraically using two
methods.
Folkfest, Saskatoon b) Compare the two methods.

Solution
a) Let B represent the cost for one order of bannock, in dollars.
Let S represent the cost for one order of buffalo stew, in dollars.
Write an equation to represent the first sale.
3S + 2B = 13.50 q
Write an equation to represent the second sale.
4S + 5B = 21.50 w
Method 1: Use Substitution
Isolate the variable B in q since it has the smallest coefficient, 2.
3S + 2B = 13.50 You can try isolating the variable S in q instead.
2B = 13.50 - 3S 3S + 2B = 13.50
3S = 13.50 - 2B
B = 6.75 - 1.5S _2
S = 4.5 - B
3
Why might it be better to isolate B?

Substitute the expression for B into w.

4S + 5(6.75 - 1.5S) = 21.50
4S + 33.75 - 7.5S = 21.50
-3.5S + 33.75 = 21.50
-3.5S = -12.25
S = 3.50 What does 3.50 represent?

Substitute the value of S into q or w to solve for B.

3(3.50) + 2B = 13.50
10.50 + 2B = 13.50
2B = 3.00
B = 1.50 What does 1.50 represent?

496 MHR • Chapter 9

 Method 2: Use Elimination
Multiply q by 5. Multiply w by -2. Then, eliminate the
variable B by addition.
5(3S + 2B) = 5(13.50) -2(4S + 5B) = -2(21.50)
15S + 10B = 67.50 e -8S - 10B = -43.00 r
Add e and r to eliminate the variable B.
15S + 10B = 67.50
+ (-8S - 10B = -43.00)
7S = 24.50 Solve for S.
S = 3.50
Substitute the value of S into q or w to solve for B.
3(3.50) + 2B = 13.50
10.50 + 2B = 13.50
2B = 3.00
B = 1.50
Check:
Substitute into q and w.
Left Side Right Side
3S + 2B 13.50
= 3(3.50) + 2(1.50)
= 10.50 + 3.00
= 13.50
Left Side = Right Side
Left Side Right Side
4S + 5B 21.50
= 4(3.50) + 5(1.50)
= 14.00 + 7.50
= 21.50
Left Side = Right Side
The price of one order of stew is $3.50. The price of one order of
bannock is $1.50.

b) For this question, it took more steps to isolate the first variable
using the substitution method than the elimination method.
Also, if the variable S had been isolated in q, the result for S
would have made it complicated to solve for B.

Your Turn
Solve the linear system twice, using both algebraic methods.
Compare the two methods.
3x - 4y = 17
4x + 5y = 48.5

9.3 Solving Problems Using Systems of Linear Equations • MHR 497

 Key Ideas
• Systems of linear equations can be solved
 graphically
 algebraically by substitution or by elimination
• It may be better to use a graphical approach to solve linear
equations when you wish to see how the two variables relate,
such as for cost analysis and speed problems.
• It may be better to use an algebraic approach to solve linear
equations when
 you need only the solution (intersection point)
 it is unclear where to locate the solution on a coordinate plane

Check Your Understanding

Practise
1. Solve each system of linear equations using a method of your
choice. Check your answer graphically.
a) 2x - 5y = 12 b) 3y = 6 - x c) n = 3k - 2
-7x + 5y = 48 5x + 6y = -6 2n - 6k = -4

2. Solve each system of linear equations using your preferred

method.
a) 0.2y + x = 0.7 b)
_
m +_
n =7 c) 4x - 7y = 6
7 2
2y + 12x = 11 2m + 6 = 3n 5x = 2y + 3

Apply
3. In January, the average high temperature
for Calgary is 9.9 °C greater than
Winnipeg’s average high temperature.
The sum of these two
temperatures is
-15.5 °C. What
is the average
high temperature
in January for
each of these
two cities?

498 MHR • Chapter 9

4. In Canada, the percent of workers who drive themselves to
work is approximately 11.3 times the percent of workers who
walk. The combined percent of Canadian workers who drive
themselves and walk is about 78.7%. Approximately what
percent of Canadian workers walk to work? Express your
answer to the nearest tenth of a percent.

5. A school’s multicultural club is selling muffins for a fundraiser.

The club spends $16.00 on advertising. The cost of ingredients
for each muffin is $0.30. The club decides to sell the muffins
for $0.75 each. The following equations model this situation:
C = 0.3m + 16 and C = 0.75m.
a) Describe in words what each equation represents.
b) Determine the minimum number of muffins the club will
have to sell to cover their total costs.

6. An incandescent 60-W light bulb sells for approximately $0.75.

Did You Know?
It costs $0.0072 to operate per hour. An equivalent compact
fluorescent bulb costs $4.00. It uses 15 W of power and costs A compact fluorescent
bulb has a lifespan of
$0.0018 per hour to operate. The following equations model
approximately 10 000 h
the cost: C = 0.75 + 0.0072h and C = 4 + 0.0018h. In these versus 1000 h for an
equations, C is the total cost, in dollars, and h is the number of incandescent bulb.
hours. How many hours will it take for the compact fluorescent
bulb to be less expensive?

7. A circus recently had a

sold-out performance.
Did You Know?
There were varying
admission prices. The Cirque du Soleil is
a dramatic mix of
admission for premium
circus arts and street
seating was $250 for entertainment. Based
adults and $175 for in Montréal, Québec, it
students. The total was founded in 1984.
revenue for premium The founders were two
former street performers,
seating was $29 125.
Guy Laliberté and
The receipts showed
Daniel Gauthier. Cirque
that 130 premium seats expanded rapidly. It
were sold. Determine grew from one show to
how many adults and multiple shows around
how many students the world.

were in premium seats. Cirque du Soleil

8. Jason is renting a car for one week. Speed-E-Car Rental offers a

compact car for $379 plus $0.10 per kilometre. Easy 4 U Auto
offers a compact car for $249 plus $0.35 per kilometre. Use a
system of linear equations to determine when each company
would be the better choice for Jason.

9.3 Solving Problems Using Systems of Linear Equations • MHR 499

 9. Unit Project The water level in a lake is decreasing. Wildlife
biologists are concerned about the effect on the fish population.
They decide to track the number of fish in the lake. The osprey
is a fish-hunting bird. As part of their study, the biologists need
to estimate the number of fish eaten by osprey.
Year Fish in Lake Fish Eaten by Osprey
1 10 000 700
2 9 000 900
3 8 000 1100
4 7 000 1300

a) Describe the population changes to the fish in the

lake and the fish eaten by osprey.
b) Write a system of linear equations representing
the populations of fish.
c) Solve the system of
linear equations
graphically.
What does the
point of intersection represent?
d) Predict what might eventually
happen to the fish and osprey
populations. Explain your
Did You Know?
thinking.
Scuba divers can suffer
from a potentially
lethal condition called 10. Scuba divers can spend
decompression sickness, only a limited amount
or the bends. This occurs of time at depths
if they rise too quickly to between 60 m and
the surface of the water.
90 m. This amount of
At greater depths, there
is extra pressure on the time can be represented
diver. The extra pressure by a linear relation. A
causes nitrogen gas to diver can remain for
dissolve in the diver’s 60 min at a depth of
blood. As the diver slowly
60 m, and 30 min at a
rises back to the surface,
the nitrogen gas comes
depth of 90 m. Write
out of solution and forms a system of linear
bubbles in the blood. If equations to determine
the diver ascends too the slope intercept
quickly, the nitrogen form, y = mx + b, for
remains dissolved in the
this linear relation.
blood. The result is the
bends, a painful condition
that may be fatal.

500 MHR • Chapter 9

11. Last Saturday, Juan went cross-country skiing in the morning.
In the afternoon, he played squash. Cross-country skiers
expend 50 kJ of energy per minute. Squash players burn
42 kJ per minute. In total, Juan exercised for 100 min. He
used 4850 kJ in energy. How much time did he spend doing
each activity?

Extend
12. The lines that enclose a triangle can be represented by graphs
of the equations y = 3, y = -x + 7, and y = 2x + 16. Use a
system of linear equations to determine the area of the triangle.

13. Answer the following questions using the two systems of linear
equations shown.
39x + 49y = 2283 39x + 49y = 2283
and
43x + 54y = 2516 43x + 54y = 2517
a) What difference do you see between the two systems of
linear equations just by looking at them?
b) Solve both systems algebraically.
c) Solve both systems graphically.
d) Explain why these linear systems are difficult to solve.

Create Connections
14. a) Create a system of linear equations. Solve your system using
a method of your choice.
b) How do you decide on a strategy for solving a system of
linear equations? What do you consider? Why?

15. a) Create a system of linear equations with a solution involving

a rational number that cannot be expressed exactly on a
graphing calculator. Solve your system graphically and
algebraically.
b) Describe your results using the two methods.

9.3 Solving Problems Using Systems of Linear Equations • MHR 501

9 Review

9.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution,

pages 468—479
1. Solve by substitution.
a) y = 3x - 1 b) x - 2y = 4 c) 2 + y = 3x
x + y = 11 x - 3y = 6 6x - 5y = 8

2. Determine the intersection point of the two lines y = 3x - 4 and

4x + y = 13. Solve graphically, then algebraically. Which method
is a better choice? Why?

3. The table shows data about two vehicles. What distance will
both vehicles need to travel for the cost to be the same?
Type of Car Initial Cost ($) Cost Per Kilometre ($)
Compact hybrid 31 300 0.27
Compact non-hybrid 26 500 0.42

4. On a web site, the cost to download a game is three times the

cost to download a song. The cost for five songs and two games
is $15.40. What is the cost of one song and the cost of one game?

9.2 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Elimination,

pages 480—491
5. Solve using elimination.

a) x - y = 17 b) 3x + 2y = 10 c)
_y = 2x - 3
2
x + y = -9 2x - y = 4 3x + 2y = _9
2
Vancouver, BC 6. The number of wet days in a year for Vancouver, BC, is 47 days
greater than the number for Yellowknife, NT. The sum of the
numbers of wet days for one year in these two cities is 285. How
many wet days occur in each city?

7. In an isosceles triangle, the two base angles have a sum that is 6°

more than the third angle. Sketch and label a diagram. What is
the measure of each of the three angles?
Yellowknife, NT

8. The percent of carbohydrates by weight in grapes is 15%. The

percent of carbohydrates in an orange is 7%. Danika consumed a
total of 325 g of grapes and oranges. The percent of carbohydrates
in the mixture she ate was 10%. How many grams of grapes did
she eat? How many grams of oranges?

502 MHR • Chapter 9

9.3 Solving Problems Using Systems of Linear Equations,
pages 492—501
9. The operators of a national park want to be more water efficient.
They decide to start with the park’s comfort stations. First, they
purchase one front-load washing machine and four shower heads
for $900. Then, they purchase ten washers and eight shower
heads for $8200. What is the cost of each washing machine?
What is the cost of each shower head?

10. Michelle rented a car from the same company twice last month.
The cost of the first rental was $116.70 for three days. She drove
a distance of 98 km. The cost of the second rental was $78.80 for
two days of driving a distance of 72 km.
a) What is the daily rental cost? What is the charge per kilometre?
b) What method did you use to solve the problem? Why?

11. A local nature club wants to convert

57 acres of land to campgrounds. Basic
campgrounds have a density of 1.5 sites
per acre. Developed campgrounds have
4 sites per acre. The amount of land
used for basic sites is twice the amount
of land used for developed sites.
a) Determine the number of acres to be
used for each type of campground if
all 57 acres of land are used.
b) How many campsites of each type
will there be?

12. Yesterday, Keegan read a book that had 220 pages. He started
the book before dinner and read at a speed of 50 pages per hour.
At bedtime, he read at a rate of 41 pages per hour and finished
the book. He spent a total of 5 h reading. How much time did
he spend reading before dinner? Express your answer in hours
and minutes.

13. a) Solve the following system of linear equations graphically and

algebraically: y = 4 - x and x + y = 6.
b) Use the graphs of these two lines to explain your results.

Chapter 9 Review • MHR 503

9 Practice Test

Multiple Choice
For #1 to #4, choose the best answer.
1. The ordered pair (3, -2) is the solution for which linear system?
A 5x - y = 7 B y = 4x + 11 C 2x - 7y = 1 D x-y=5
x + y = 12 x-y=1 x + y = -4 3x + 2y = 5

2. Which of the following is the solution to the system of equations

y = 8 - x and 2x + 3y = 14?
A (-10, 18) B (3, 5) C (10, -2) D (19, -11)

3. A recycling company sells its recycling bins for

Did You Know?
$20 each. The fixed expenses to manufacture
Recycling in the Arctic is the bins total $4000. In addition, there is an
a challenge because of
expense of $12 per bin. Let x represent the
the expense of shipping
the materials south to be
number of bins. Which linear system allows
recycled. Some Northern you to determine when the company’s
schools run can-recycling expenses equal their sales?
programs. These
A y = 4000 B y = 4000 - x
programs are possible
thanks to local airlines.
y = 12x + 20 y = 20x + 12
The airlines transport the C y = 4000 + 12x D y = 4000 + 20x
crushed and packaged y = 20x y = 12x
cans south to a recycler.
They will often do this 4. The cost of three compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFBs) and
at a reduced rate or even five incandescent light bulbs (ILBs) is $15.00. The cost of a CFB
no charge.
is five times the cost of an ILB. What is the cost of one CFB?
What is the cost of one ILB?
A CFB = $0.40, ILB = $2.00 B CFB = $1.25, ILB = $0.25
C CFB = $3.75, ILB = $0.75 D CFB = $7.00, ILB = $1.40

Short Answer
5. Solve each linear system algebraically. Show your work.

a) 3x - y = 7 b) y = 7 - 9x c)
_x - y = 5
3
x + y = 10 17 - 2y = 16x 5x + 3y = 12

6. The length of a rectangle is 3 m less than five times the width.

The perimeter is 10.8 m. What are its dimensions?

7. At the bulk store, peanuts cost $1.20 per 100 g and almonds cost
$2.00 per 100 g. They are mixed together to create a 300-g bag of
mixed nuts. This mix sells for $1.50 per 100 g. What amount of
each type of nut is used?

504 MHR • Chapter 9

 8. Use the information in the table to determine the number of
nickels and the number of quarters in the coin collection.
Coin Value of Number Total Value
Type One Coin (¢) of Coins of Coins (¢)
Nickel 5 n 5n
Quarter 25 q 25q
Total: 49 885

9. A golf club charges an annual fee. It also charges a green fee for
each game played. Tegan played 38 games and paid a total of
$986. Cassandra played 15 games and paid $480. How much are
the annual fee and the green fee?

10. Francofièvre, or French Fever, is an event

Did You Know?
celebrating francophone culture. Last
year, a total of 696 students and teachers Francofièvre is the
largest francophone
from one high school went to the event.
youth rally in western
On average, every teacher brought Canada. It is held annually
23 students. How many students and in Saskatchewan each
how many teachers from the high school spring. High school
attended the event that year? students visit to
celebrate French music,
dance, and artists.
Extended Response
11. Mallory drove 805 km from Edmonton to
Regina. From Edmonton to Saskatoon,
her average speed was 88 km/h. From
n
wa

Alberta
he

Saskatoon to Regina, her average speed

atc
sk

was 71 km/h due to road construction.

Sa

Edmonton
She drove for 9.85 h. Express your
Saskatoon
answers to the following questions to
two decimal places.
a) How long did each part of her trip Regina
take?
b) What is the distance between Edmonton and Saskatoon?
Explain the method you used.

12. The three lines that enclose a triangle can be represented by

graphs of the equations x = 3, x + y = 10, and 5x - 2y = 15.
a) Graph the three lines.
b) Determine the intersection points between each pair of lines.
Solve algebraically and graphically.

Chapter 9 Practice Test • MHR 505

 4 Unit Connections

Unit 4 Project Web Link

For information and
For this project, you will do an analysis suggestions about reducing
of the effect of our water use on wildlife, water use in the home, go
to www.mhrmath10.ca and
reducing water use in homes, and
follow the links.
retrofitting plumbing fixtures. Use your
answers to the unit project questions
throughout Chapters 8 and 9, as well as your own research.
Your analysis should include the following:
• data involving the effect of our water use on populations of wildlife
• information about costs and flow rates of various low-flow plumbing
fixtures
• a comparison using linear systems (represented multiple ways) of
the cost of keeping conventional fixtures and the cost of retrofitting
To complete your project, prepare a presentation that outlines the
environmental and economic benefits of retrofitting and reducing
water use. Keep in mind that your presentation is intended for
community residents or local governments. Address the following
questions in your presentation:
• What impact does reducing water use have on the environment?
• In what ways can water use in homes be reduced?
• What should be considered when making decisions about water use
in homes?
• What costs and savings are associated with retrofitting?
• Do your local governments offer any incentives to encourage people
to retrofit their houses or reduce water use? If so, what are they? If
not, what suggestions do you have?

506 MHR • Unit 4 Connections

Unit Review
Chapter 8 Solving Systems of Linear Equations Graphically
1. Sketch and label a graph of two linear equations that could
be used to represent each scenario.
a) The cost of two different cell phone plans over a number
of months
b) The height of two hot-air balloons descending at the same
rate from different initial heights
c) The constant speed of a racehorse running around a track
and the constant speed of a racehorse after it has crossed
the finish line

2. Match each system of equations to the correct graph.

A y = -x + 4 B y=x+4 C y = -x + 4
y=x-5 y=x-5 y = -x - 5

i) ii)

iii)

3. Explain the meaning of the given point in relation to the system

of linear equations.
a) (1, -1), y = -3x + 2 and y = x - 2

b) (0, 3), y =
_3 x + 2 and y = -x + 3
2

4. Solve each of the linear systems graphically. Verify the solution.

a) y = -5x - 3 b) y = -3x - 6 c) y = 2x - 3
y = 4x - 3 y=x+2 y = -x - 9

Unit 4 Connections • MHR 507

 5. Which of the following graphs shows the solution to the linear
system of equations 2x + 4y - 12 = 0 and 3x + y - 8 = 0?
A y B y

8 8

4 4

-8 -4 0 4 8 x -8 -4 0 4 8 x

-4 -4

-8 -8

C y D y

8 8

4 4

-8 -4 0 4 8 x -8 -4 0 4 8 x

-4 -4

-8 -8

6. Use technology to solve each linear system graphically.

Express solutions to the nearest tenth, if necessary.
a) y = -5x + 2 b) y = 7x - 2 c) y = 4x - 5
y = 6x - 9 y=x+5 y = -5x + 1

7. Mei compared the cost of renting a car from two car rental
companies. She graphed the number of days versus cost for
each. She discovered that the point of intersection was (7, 580).
Explain the meaning of this point.

8. Daniel had 20 coins in his pocket, consisting of dimes and

quarters. The total value of the coins was $2.75.
a) Model the situation using a system of linear equations.
b) What would be the domain and range of each function?
c) Solve graphically to determine the number of each type
of coin Daniel has.

9. Determine whether each linear system has no solution, one

solution, or an infinite number of solutions.
_5
a) y = x - 4 b) 3x + y - 11 = 0 c) 2x - 6y + 5 = 0
3
y=_ 3x - 4 3x + y + 11 = 0 4x - 12y + 10 = 0
5
508 MHR • Unit 4 Connections
Chapter 9 Solving Systems of Linear Equations Algebraically
10. Colin’s team is part of a lacrosse association in
Manitoba. One point is awarded for an assist and
two points for a goal. Colin has 23 points so far this
season. Twice the number of goals is one more than
the number of assists Colin has. Write a system of
linear equations to model this situation.

11. Identify which method you would use to solve

each linear system algebraically: the substitution
method or the elimination method. Explain each choice.
a) y = -x + 5 b) 5y - 3x = 9
2x + 3y - 7 = 0 2y + 3x = 12
c) 3x - 4y + 6 = 0 d) x + 8y = 20
2x + 8y - 5 = 0 3x + 6y = 24

12. Solve each linear system. Verify your solutions.

a) 3x + y = 2 b) 3x + 2y = 8 c) 3x + 5y = 1
2x + 5y = 23 x - 12y = -10 7x + 9y = 5

13. Solve each linear system. For each one, explain why you chose
the method you did.
a) x + 2y = 11 b) 2x - 6y - 12 = 0 c) 8x + 5y = -11
3x - 2y = 9 3x - 2y - 4 = 0 3x + 2y = -4

14. The Thelon River stretches across 900 km of Northern Canada.

Cheng and Tammy took a ten-day canoe trip along part of the
river. They left camp going with the current of the river. After
20 min, they discovered they forgot something and had to
return. It took 36 min to paddle the 3 km back to camp against
the current.
a) Write a system of linear equations to represent the situation.
b) What was their paddling speed? What was the speed of
the current?

Unit 4 Connections • MHR 509

 4 Unit Test

Multiple Choice
For #1 to #4, choose the best answer.
1. The interpretive centre at Batoche, SK, depicts Métis life between
1860 and 1900. The site charges $7.80 for each adult and $3.90
for each youth. Imagine that on one day the total for adult and
youth admissions was $214.50. There were five fewer youths
than adults. Which linear system could be used to solve for the
number of adults, a, and the number of youths, y?
A 7.80a + 3.90y = 214.50 B 7.80a + 3.90y = 214.50
a-y=5 y+a=5

C 7.80a + 3.90y = 214.50 D 7.80a + 3.90y = 214.50

a=y-5 y=5-a

2. James graphs two lines. Under what condition(s) must there

be a point of intersection?
i) Both lines have the same y-intercept and the same slope.
ii) Both lines have the same y-intercept but different slopes.
iii) Both lines have the same slopes and the same x-intercept.
iv) Both lines have different slopes but the same x-intercept.
A II only B I and III C II and IV D IV only

3. Which of the following graphs could represent the following

linear system: x + y = -2 and 2x - y = 5?
A B

C D

510 MHR • Unit 4 Test

 4. Carla correctly described the number of solutions to the
system of equations 7x - 5y = 2 and 7x - 5y = 4 as
A one solution B two solutions
C an infinite number of solutions D no solution

Numerical Response
Complete the statements in #5 and #6.
5. You solve the system of equations x + 3y = 0 and x + 6y - 30 = 0
graphically. The y-coordinate of the solution is .

6. Mary Kuutsiq Mariq of Baker Lake, NU, created the wall hanging
shown. It has a perimeter of 120 in. Its length is 6 in. shorter than
twice its width. The length of the wall hanging is  in.

Hungry for Wildlife by Inuk artist Mary Kuutsiq Mariq

Written Response
7. Solve the following system of linear equations:
_1 x - _2 y = 6
2 3
and _
1x + _1 y = -1. Verify the solution. Then, explain why you
4 3
chose the method you did.

8. Dakota is going to make a bead necklace. The cost of 25 red beads

and 15 green beads is $2.75. The cost of 7 red beads and 13 green
beads is $1.65.
a) Write a linear system of equations to represent the situation.
b) Determine the cost of a red bead and the cost of a green bead.
c) How much would ten red beads and five green beads cost
in total?

9. American bison and North American elk are surprisingly fast.

The sum of their top speeds is 104 km/h. The difference is
8 km/h. If the bison is the faster animal, what is its top speed?

Unit 4 Test • MHR 511