Contemporary Business Mathematics with
Canadian Applications
Eleventh Canadian Edition
Chapter 4
Linear Systems
Linear Systems
In many types of problems, the relationship between two or
more variables can be represented by setting up linear
equations. Algebraic as well as graphical techniques are
available to solve such problems.
Consistent and Independent Systems: Any system such
that a unique solution exists.
Inconsistent Systems: No solution exists for the system.
Graphically, the lines for the two equations are parallel.
Consistent and Dependent Systems: Many solutions exist
for such systems. The lines for the two equations coincide
and result in an infinite number of solutions for the system.
Solving Linear Systems by Algebraic
Elimination
If the coefficients (numbers in front of variables) of one
variable are the same in both equations, then reduce to one
equation by addition or subtraction as follows:
1. If the coefficients of one variable are numerically equal
but opposite in sign, adding will eliminate the variable.
2. If the coefficients of one variable are numerically equal
and have the same sign,
a. Subtraction can eliminate the variable.
b. Alternatively, one equation can be multiplied by −1;
addition can then be used.
Example
Solve 5x + 4y = 7
3x − 4y = 17
5x + 4y = 7 equation
3x − 4y = 17 equation
8x = 24 add and to eliminate y x=3
Substitute x = 3 into any one of the equations
5(3) + 4y = 7 substitute 3 for x in
15 + 4y = 7 4y = −8 y = −2
x = 3, y = −2 is the solution
Where the Coefficients are Not
Numerically Equal
Solve x + 4y = 18
2x + 5y = 24
To eliminate the term in x, multiply equation by 2.
2x + 8y = 36 multiplied by 2
−2x − 5y = −24 multiplied by −1
3y = 12 add
y=4
Where the Coefficients are Not
Numerically Equal
Substitute y = 4 into any one of the equations
x + 4(4) = 18 substitute 4 for y in
x + 16 = 18
x=2
x = 2, y = 4 is the solution
Practice
1. Find the value of x and y in 2x + y = 5 and 3x + y = 7.
2. Find the value of x and y in 6x - 2y = 15 and 4x + 3y = -3
Solving Linear Systems in Two Variables
Involving Decimals or Fractions
1. Multiply the equation(s) by an appropriate factor of 10 to
eliminate the decimal.
2. If one or both equations contain fractions, multiply each
equation by its Lowest Common Denominator (LCD) to
eliminate the fraction.
3. Then solve as shown previously.
Example: Involving Decimals
Solve for x and y
1.5x + 0.8y = 1.2
0.7x + 1.2y = −4.4
Multiply by 10 to eliminate decimals.
15x + 8y = 12 → × 3 → 45x + 24y = 36
7x + 12y = −44 → × 2 → 14x + 24y = −88
Subtract 31x = 124 x =4
substitute x = 4 for x in 15x + 8y = 12
15(4) + 8y = 12
60 + 8y = 12 8y = −48 y = −6
Example: Involving Fractions
1 2 1 1
Solve 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5 and 𝑥 + 𝑦 =4
4 3 3 2
Multiply equation 1 by the LCD of 12 to get 3x + 8y = 60
Multiply equation 2 by the LCD of 6 to get 2x + 3y = 24
3x + 8y = 60 → × 2 → 6x + 16y = 120
2x + 3y = 24 → × 3 → 6x + 9y = 72
Subtract 7y = 48 y = 6.86
Substitute y = 6.86 into either equations
3x + 8(6.86) = 60 3x = 5.12 x = 1.71
The solution is approximately (1.71, 6.86)
Practice
Solve for x and y in the following
1 1 1 1
1. 2
𝑥 + 𝑦=4
8
and
3
𝑥 − 𝑦 = −2
2
2. 0.05x - 0.03y = 0.21 and 0.07x + 0.02y = 0.16
Graphing Linear Equations
The horizontal line is called the X axis, while the vertical line
is called the Y axis.
The point of intersection of the two axes is called the origin.
The position of any point relative to the pair of axes is
defined by an ordered pair of numbers (x, y).
They represent the distance from the origin on the horizontal
(x) and vertical axis (y), respectively.
Graphing Linear Equations
Graphing Linear Equations
Graph x + y = 4
Rearrange equation, choose values for x and find the
corresponding values for y
y=4−x
Table of values
X 0 4 2
Y 4 0 2
Special Cases: Lines Parallel to the Axes
Lines parallel to the X axis are formed by sets of points that
all have the same y coordinates. E.g., y = 3, y = -2
Lines parallel to the Y axis are formed by sets of points that
all have the same x coordinates. E.g., x = 3, x = -5
The Slope–Y-Intercept Form of a Linear
Equation
Every line has two important characteristics: its steepness,
called the slope (rise over run), and a point where the line
intersects with the Y axis, called the y-intercept.
y = mx + b Linear Equation y = 3 + 8x
m rise 8
slope =
run (a rise of 8 and a run of 1)
b y-intercept 3 (the point is 0,3)
The Slope–Y-Intercept Form of a Linear
Equation
Graph the line 2x − y = 4
−y = −2x + 4
y = 2x −4
• slope m = 2, y-intercept = −4
• note slope can be either
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒ൗ +2ൗ −2
𝑟𝑢𝑛 = +1 = ൗ−1
Blank Table of values Blank
x 3 2
y 2 0
point (3,2) (2,0)
• Notice the slope is the same everywhere on the line.
The Slope–Y-Intercept Form: Special Case 1
• Lines parallel to the X-axis.
– Has no mx in the equation. y = b.
– This is a line parallel to the X
axis that crosses the Y axis at
point (0, b) and has a slope of 0.
• Lines parallel to the Y-axis.
– Has no b in the equation x = a,
where a is the x intercept.
– This is a line parallel to the Y
axis that crosses the X axis at
point (a, 0) and its slope is
undefined.
Different Cases for the Slope
Positive Slope As x increases, y increases
Negative Slope As x increases, y decreases
0 Slope Horizontal line, as x
increases or decreases, y
remains the same
Undefined Vertical line, x remains the
Slope same as y increases or
decreases
Graph a System of Linear Equations and Solve
• Equation #1: x = y
y=x+0 y-intercept b = 0,
slope m = 1, (This means rise = 1, run = 1)
• Equation #2 : x − 2y + 2000 = 0
x − 2y = −2000
− 2y = −2000 − x
2y = x + 2000
y = ½ x + 1000 y-intercept b = 1000,
slope m=½
Graph a System of Linear Equations and Solve
• To find the point of
intersection
1. Substitute x = y into the
second equation
y = ½ y + 1000
½ y = 1000
y = 2000
• The point of intersection
S = (2000,2000).
Practice
Graph and find the coordinates of the intersection of the lines
1. y = x and y = - 4x+9
2. x + 2y - 1= 0 and 2x + 4y + 5= 0
Problem Solving
The Clarkson Soccer League has set a budget of $3,840 for
soccer balls. High-quality game balls cost $36 each while lower-
quality practice balls cost $20 each. If 160 balls are to be
purchased, how many balls of each type can be purchased to
exactly use up the budgeted amount?
Answer
Let x represent the number of game balls.
Let y represent the number of practice balls.
Total number of balls is x + y = 160
Value of the game balls is $36x
Value of the practice balls is $20y
Total value of the balls is 36x + 20y = $3840
Problem Solving
36x + 20y = 3840
−20x − 20y = −3200 multiplied by 20
16x = 640 add
640
x = x = 40
16
Now substitute x = 40 into
40 + y = 160
y = 160 – 40 y = 120
40 game balls and 120 practice balls can be bought
Practice
At the CNC cafeteria, a student observed that two
sandwiches and a juice cost £3.40. Four sandwiches and
three juices cost £7.20. This student will like to know the
cost of a juice and the cost of a sandwich?
Summary
Linear systems of two simultaneous equations in two
variables are useful for modeling business applications.
Such systems can be solved by graphing the two linear
equations and finding the point of intersection.
Such systems can be solved algebraically by using the method
of elimination, substitution or graphing.