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College Algebra
Tutorial 51:
Systems of Linear Equations and Problem Solving

Learning Objectives

After completing this tutorial, you should be able to:

1. Use Polya's four step process to solve various problems involving

systems of linear equations in both two and three variables.

Introduction

Hey, lucky you, we have another tutorial on word problems. As mentioned

before, whether you like it or not, whether you are going to be a mother, father,
teacher, computer programmer, scientist, researcher, business owner, coach,
mathematician, manager, doctor, lawyer, banker (the list can go on and on),
problem solving is everywhere. Some people think that you either can do it or
you can't. Contrary to that belief, it can be a learned trade. Even the best
athletes and musicians had some coaching along the way and lots of practice -
that's what it also takes to be good at problem solving.

The word problems in this section all involve setting up a system of linear
equations to help solve the problem. Basically, we are combining the concepts
from Tutorial 16: Formulas and Applications, Tutorial 49: Solving Systems
of Linear Equations in Two Variables and Tutorial 50: Solving Systems of
Linear Equations in Three Variables all rolled up into one tutorial. We will
be looking at different types of word problems involving such ideas as distance,
percentages, and something we can all relate to MONEY!!!
 Tutorial

Polya's Four Step Process

for Problem Solving
(revisited)

This is the exact same process for problem solving that was introduced in
Tutorial 16: Formulas and Applications The difference is in this tutorial we
will be setting up a system of linear equations as opposed to just working with
one equation.

Step 1: Understand the problem.

Sometimes the problem lies in understanding the problem. If you are

unclear as to what needs to be solved, then you are probably going to
get the wrong results. In order to show an understanding of the
problem you of course need to read the problem carefully. Sounds
simple enough, but some people jump the gun and try to start solving
the problem before they have read the whole problem. Once the
problem is read, you need to list out all the components and data that
are involved. This is where you will be assigning your variables.

In the problems on this page, we will be letting each unknown be a

separate variable. So, if you have two unknowns, you will have two
variables, x and y. If you have three unknowns, you will have three
variables, x, y, and z.

Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).

When you devise a plan (translate), you come up with a way to solve
the problem. Setting up an equation, drawing a diagram, and making a
chart are all ways that you can go about solving your problem. In this
tutorial, we will be setting up equations for each problem.
 In the problems on this page, we will be setting up systems of linear
equations. The number of equations need to match the number of
unknowns. For example, if you have two variables, then you will need
two equations. If you have three variables, then you will need three
equations.

Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).

The next step, carry out the plan (solve), is big. This is where you
solve the system of equations you came up with in your devise a plan
step. The equations in the systems in this tutorial will all be linear
equations. If you need help solving them, by all means, go back to
Tutorial 49: Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables
and Tutorial 50: Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Three
Variables and review the concepts.

Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).

You may be familiar with the expression don't look back. In problem
solving it is good to look back (check and interpret).. Basically,
check to see if you used all your information and that the answer makes
sense. If your answer does check out make sure that you write your
final answer with the correct labeling.

Numeric Word Problem

Example 1: The sum of three numbers is 14. The largest is 4 times

the smallest, while the sum of the smallest and twice the largest is 18. Find the
numbers.

Step 1: Understand the problem.

Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.
 Since we are looking for three numbers, we will let

x = the smallest number

y = middle number

z = the largest number

Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).

Since we have three unknowns, we need to build a system with

three equations.

Equation (1):

Equation (2):

Equation (3):

Putting the three equations together in a system we get:

Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).

This is a system of linear equations with three variables, which can be

found in Tutorial 50: Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Three
Variables

Simplify and put all three equations in the form Ax + By + Cz = D

if needed.

Equation (2) needs to be put in the correct form:

*Inverse of add 4x is sub. 4x

Choose to eliminate any one of the variables from any pair of

equations.

Since y is already eliminated in equation (4) and (3), it would be

quickest and easiest to eliminate y.

We can use equation (4) as one equation with y eliminated:

*y is already eliminated

Eliminate the SAME variable chosen in step 2 from any other pair
of equations, creating a system of two equations and 2 unknowns.

We can use equation (3) as another equation with y eliminated:

 *y is already eliminated

Solve the remaining system found in step 2 and 3.

Putting those two equations together we get:

I’m going to choose to eliminate z.

Multiplying equation (4) by -2 and then adding that to equation (3)

we get:

*Mult. both sides of eq. (4) by -2

*z's have opposite coefficients

*z's dropped out

Solving for x we get:

*Inverse of mult. by 9 is div. by 9

Using equation (4) to plug 2 in for x and solving for z we get:

 *Equation (4)
*Plug in 2 for x

*Inverse of sub. 8 is add 8

Solve for the third variable.

Using equation (1) to plug in 2 for x and 8 for z and solving for y
we get:

*Equation (1)
*Plug in 2 for x and 8 for z

*Inverse of add 10 is sub. 10

Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).

You will find that if you plug the ordered triple (2, 4, 8) into ALL
THREE equations of the original system, this is a solution to ALL
THREE of them.

Final Answer:
2 is the smallest number, 4 is the middle number and 8 is the
largest number.

Mixing Solutions

Example 2: How many gallons of 20% alcohol solution and 50%

alcohol solution must be mixed to get 9 gallons of 30% alcohol solution?
Step 1: Understand the problem.

Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.

Since we are looking for two different amounts, we will let

x = the number of gallons of 20% alcohol solution

y = the number of gallons of 50% alcohol solution

Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).

Since we have two unknowns, we need to build a system with two

equations.

Equation (1):

Equation (2):

Putting the two equations together in a system we get:

Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).

This is a system of linear equations with two variables, which can be
found in Tutorial 49: Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Two
Variables.

Simplify if needed.

We can simplify this by multiplying both sides of equation (2) by 10

and getting rid of the decimals:

*Mult. both sides of eq. (2) by 10

At this point, you can use any method that you want to solve this
system. I’m going to use the elimination method as discussed in
Tutorial 49: Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Two
Variables.

Multiply one or both equations by a number that will create

opposite coefficients for either x or y if needed AND add the
equations.

If we multiply equation (1) by -2, then the x’s will have opposite
coefficients.

Multiplying equations (1) by -2 and then adding that to equation

(3) we get:

*Mult. both side of eq. (1) by -2

*x's have opposite coefficients

*x's dropped out

 Solve for remaining variable.

Solving for y we get:

*Inverse of mult. by 3 is divide by 3

Solve for second variable.

Using equation (1) to plug in 3 for y and solving for x we get:

*Equation (1)
*Plug in 3 for y

*Inverse of add 3 is sub. 3

Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).

You will find that if you plug the ordered pair (6, 3) into BOTH
equations of the original system, that this is a solution to BOTH of
them.

Final Answer:
6 gallons of 20% solution and 3 gallons of 50% solution

Distance/Rate
 Example 3: An airplane flying with the wind can cover a certain
distance in 2 hours. The return trip against the wind takes 2.5 hours. How fast
is the plane and what is the speed of the air, if the one-way distance is 600
miles?

Step 1: Understand the problem.

Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.

Since we are looking for two different rates, we will let

x = rate of the plane

y = the rate of the wind

Since this is a rate/distance problem, it might be good to organize our

information using the distance formula.

Keep in mind that the wind speed is affecting the overall speed.

When the plane is with the wind, it will be going faster. That rate
will be x + y.

When the plane is going against the wind, it will be going slower.
That rate will be x - y.

(Rate) (Time) = Distance

With wind x+y 2 600
Against wind x-y 2.5 600

Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).

Since we have two unknowns, we need to build a system with two

 equations.

Equation (1):

Equation (2):

Putting the two equations together in a system we get:

Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).

This is a system of linear equations with two variables, which can be

found in Tutorial 49: Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Two
Variables.

Simplify if needed.

We can simplify this by dividing both sides of equation (1) by 2 and

equation (2) by 2.5 getting rid of the ( ) and decimals at the same
time:

*Div. both side of eq. (1) by 2

*Div. both sides of eq. (2) by 2.5

At this point, you can use any method that you want to solve this
system. I’m going to use the elimination method as discussed in
Tutorial 49: Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Two
Variables.

Multiply one or both equations by a number that will create

opposite coefficients for either x or y if needed AND add the
equations.

Since we already have opposite coefficients on y, we can go right

into adding equations (3) and (4) together:

*y's have opposite coefficients

*y's dropped out

Solve for remaining variable.

Solving for x we get:

*Inverse of div. by 2 is mult. by 2

Solve for second variable.

Using equation (3) to plug in 270 for x and solving for y we get:

*Equation (3)
*Plug in 270 for x
*Inverse of add 270 is sub. 270
Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).

You will find that if you plug the ordered pair (270, 30) into BOTH
equations of the original system, this is a solution to BOTH of them.

Final Answer:
The airplane speed is 270 mph and the air speed is 30 mph

Break-even Point

Example 4: Given the cost function C(x) and the revenue function
R(x), find the number of units x that must be sold to break even.

C(x) = 20x + 50000

R(x) = 25x

Step 1: Understand the problem.

Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.

We will let,

x = the number of units

C(x) = 20x + 50000

R(x) = 25x

This problem appears a little different because of the function notation.

Keep in mind that function notation translates to being y.
Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).

In this problem, the two equations that we are working with have
already been given to us:

Cost function:
C(x) = 20x + 50000

Revenue function:
R(x) = 25x

Putting the two equations together in a system we get:

Since the break-even point is when revenue = cost, we will go right

into setting this up using the substitution method as discussed in
Tutorial 49: Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Two
Variables.

Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).

Solving for x we get:

*Inverse of add 20x is sub. 20x

*Inverse of mult. by 5 is div. by 5

Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).

You will find that if you plug 10000 for x into BOTH equations that
they BOTH come out to be 250000, which means this is the break-even
point.
 Final Answer:
10000 units are needed to break-even

Practice Problems

These are practice problems to help bring you to the next level. It will allow
you to check and see if you have an understanding of these types of problems.
Math works just like anything else, if you want to get good at it, then you
need to practice it. Even the best athletes and musicians had help along the
way and lots of practice, practice, practice, to get good at their sport or
instrument. In fact there is no such thing as too much practice.

To get the most out of these, you should work the problem out on your own
and then check your answer by clicking on the link for the
answer/discussion for that problem. At the link you will find the answer as
well as any steps that went into finding that answer.

Practice Problems 1a - 1c:

Solve.

1a. The larger of two numbers is 5 more than twice the smaller. If the smaller is
subtracted from the larger, the result is 12. Find the numbers.
(answer/discussion to 1a)

1b. It takes a boat 2 hours to travel 24 miles downstream and 3 hours to travel
18 miles upstream. What is the speed of the boat in still water and of the current
of the river?
(answer/discussion to 1b)
 1c. A student has money in three accounts that pay 5%, 7%, and 8%, in annual
interest. She has three times as much invested at 8% as she does at 5%. If the
total amount she has invested is $1600 and her interest for the year comes to
$115, how much money does she have in each account?
(answer/discussion to 1c)

Need Extra Help on These Topics?

There were no good websites found to help us with the topics on this page.

Go to Get Help Outside the Classroom found in Tutorial 1: How to Succeed

in a Math Class for some more suggestions.

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All contents copyright (C) 2002, WTAMU and Kim Peppard. All rights reserved.
Last revised on November 13, 2002 by Kim Peppard.