Introduction to Systems of Equations

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Algebra II Table of Contents

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INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS

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DEFINITION: An equation is a mathematical sentence that uses the verb " = ".

DEFINITION: An equation in one variable is an equation that uses only one variable (often, x ).
The variable may appear any number of times.
For example, 4x 3-x +3=5x -7 is an equation in one variable.

DEFINITION: An equation in two variables is an equation that uses two variables (often, x and y ).
These two variables may appear any number of times.
For example, 2x 2-x⁢y +3y 2=5x -7y+1 is an equation in two variables.

DEFINITION: An equation in n variables is an equation that uses n variables.

DEFINITION: An inequality is a mathematical sentence that uses one of the following verbs:
< (less than), > (greater than), ≤ (less than or equal to), ≥ (greater than or equal to).

The phrase " in n variables " also applies to inequalities:
for example, x2 -3x>4 +x is an inequality in one variable.

DEFINITION: A linear equation in two variables ( x and y )
is an equation that can be written in the form ax+ by +c=0 , where a and b are not both zero.

Here, a , b , and c are constants.
The key idea is this—in a linear equation, the variables appear as simply as possible:
only to the first power, no variables in denominators, no variables inside square roots, and so on.
These are all linear equations in two variables:

y=3 x-5

x+2y- 3=0

2x 3-1 7 y =5x+6

Every linear equation in two variables graphs as a line.

Notice that in a linear equation ax+ by +c=0 , a and b cannot both be zero, but exactly one of them can be zero.
Thus, in the proper context, both x=3 and y=3 can be viewed as equations in two variables, even though you only see one variable!

When viewed as an equation in two variables, the equation x=3 is really the equation x+0y=3 .
Its graph is the set of all points of the form (3,y) , where y can be any real number. This is a vertical line.

Similarly, when viewed as an equation in two variables, the equation y=3 is really the equation 0x+y=3 .
Its graph is the set of all points of the form (x,3) , where x can be any real number. This is a horizontal line.

So, how are you to know when x=3 is being viewed as an equation in one variable (where the only solution is the number 3),
or as an equation in two variables (where there is a whole line of solutions)?
Context!
If someone says " Graph x=3 " then they're usually viewing it an an equation in two variables.
When x=3 is viewed as an equation in one variable, then its "graph" is just one dot (at 3) on a number line, which is pretty boring!

Need practice working with lines?
Study sections 45 and 46 in the online Algebra I curriculum One Mathematical Cat, Please!

DEFINITION: A system of equations refers to more than one equation.
In a system, the variables are often referred to as the unknowns.

In general, the word system (in mathematics) refers to more than one.
For example, here is a system of two linear equations in two unknowns:
y=x+1
3x+y =5
In a system, the sentences are assumed to be connected with the mathematical word and,
even though this word does not explicitly appear.

For example, the system above is really a shorthand for:
(y=x+1)   and   (3x+y =5)

DEFINITION: A solution of a system of equations
is a choice for the variable(s) that makes every equation in the system true.

For example, x=1 and y=2 is a solution of the system
y=x+1
3x+y =5 since substitution of 1 for x and 2 for y makes both equations true:
2=1+1
3⋅1+2=5
That is, the point (1,2) lies on the line y=x+1 and also lies on the line 3x+y =5 .
Notice that a single solution corresponds to a choice of two numbers.
It is convenient to say: the ordered pair (1,2) is a solution of the system.
Notice that the first coordinate is the x-value, and the second coordinate is the y-value.
This particular system has only one solution—the ordered pair (1,2) .

How many solutions can a system of two linear equations in two unknowns have?
The answer is simple, since two lines in a plane can only interact in three possible ways:

If the two lines intersect in a single point, then the system has exactly one solution.
This is the most common situation.

If the two lines are parallel, then there are no points that lie on both lines.
In this case, the system has no solutions.

If the two lines are the same, then there are infinitely many solutions—every point on the line is a solution!

Thus, a system of two linear equations in two unknowns has exactly one solution, no solutions, or infinitely many solutions.

You'll learn two methods for solving systems in the next two web exercises:
the substitution method, and the elimination method.

On this exercise, you will not key in your answer.
However, you can check to see if your answer is correct.

Algebra II Table of Contents

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