Solving Systems

of Linear Equations
in Two Variables by
Substitution
 What is a system of
equation?
Set of two or more equations,
each containing one or more
variables.

Systems of
Equations
 2 Variables

{
Equation 1
2x + 4y = 10
-3x + y = -8 Equation 2

Two equations containing two

variables, x and y
Systems of
Equations
 3 Variables

{
Equation 1
x + 2y - z = 10
x - y = 2 Equation 2

Two equations containing three

variables, x , y and z
Systems of
Equations
 3 Variables

Equation 1
x + y - z = 6
3x + 2y = 2 Equation 2
x - 5z = 0
Equation 3

Three equations containing

Systems of three variables, x , y and z
Equations
 Independent
y
Solution

Systems of
Equations in • Lines are intersecting
Two • Has one solution
Variables
 Inconsistent
y
No solution

Systems of
Equations in • Lines are parallel
Two • Has no solution
Variables
 Dependent
y
Infinite
solutions

Systems of
Equations in • Lines are coinciding
Two • Has infinitely many solutions
Variables
 Substitution
In solving systems of equations by substitution,
a variable is solved in terms of the other in one
of the equations. Its equivalent is then
substituted to the variable in the other equation.

Solving
Systems of
Equations
 Substitution
Example 1
Solve:

Solve equation
{
1for y
3x - 2y = 9
x = 2+y
1

Use equation 2
by substituting x with 2 + to solve for x .
y.
3x - 2y = 9 1 x = 2+y 2

3(2 +y ) - 2y = 9 x = 2+3
6 + 3y - 2y = 9 x = 5
Solving 6 + y =9
Systems of Solution: ( 5, 3 )
y =3
Equations
 Substitution
Example 2
Solve:

Solve equation
{
1
2x + y = 5
-x + y =-4
for y.
1

2x + y = 5 1
y = - 2x + 5 (Subtract 2x from each side)
Substitute - 2x + 5 in equation 2for y.
-x + y = -4 2
-x - 2x + 5 = - 4
Solving -3x + 5 = - 4
Systems of -3x = - 9
Equations x = 3
 Substitution
Example 2
Solve:
{ 2x + y = 5
-x + y =-4
1

Solve for y. Use either equation or

1 2 .
2x + y = 5 1 -x + y =-4 2

2(3) + y = 5 -3 + y =-4
6 + y =5 y =-4+3
y =5-6 y = -1
Solving y = -1
Systems of Solution: ( 3, -1 )
Equations
 Substitution
Example 3
Solve:

Solve equation
{
1
3x + 2y = 3
2x - 4y = - 2
for y.
1

3x + 2y = 3 1

2y = - 3x + 3 (Subtract 3x from each side)

2 2
y = - 3x + 3 (Divide both sides by 2)
2
Solving -3x + 3
Substitute in equation 2 for y.
Systems of 2
Equations
 Substitution
Example 3
Solve:
{ 3x + 2y = 3
2x - 4y = - 2
1

-3x + 3
Substitute in equation 2 for y.
2
2x - 4y = -2 2 8x - 6 = -2
2 -3x + 3
2x - 4 =-2 8x = 4
2 8 8
2x - 2(-3x + 3) = -2
Solving x = 1
2x + 6x - 6 = -2 2
Systems of
8x - 6 = -2
Equations
 Substitution
Example 3
Solve:
{
Solve for y. Use either equation
3x + 2y = 3
2x - 4y = - 2
or
1
1

2 .
3x + 2y = 3 1 3
2y =
1 2
3 + 2y = 3
2 1 3 1
3 2y =
+ 2y = 3 2 2 2
2
Solving 3 y = 3
2y = 3 -
2 4
Systems of
Equations Solution: ( 1
2
,
3
4 )