Download Solving Systems of Equations by Substitution

3-2: Solving Systems of Equations
using Substitution
Solving Systems of Equations
using Substitution
Steps:
1. Solve one equation for one variable (y= ; x= ; a=)
2. Substitute the expression from step one into the
other equation.
3. Simplify and solve the equation.
4. Substitute back into either original equation to find
the value of the other variable.
5. Check the solution in both equations of the system.
Example #1:
y = 4x
3x + y = -21
Step 1: Solve one equation for one variable.
y = 4x
(This equation is already solved for y.)
Step 2: Substitute the expression from step one into
the other equation.
3x + y = -21
3x + 4x = -21
Step 3: Simplify and solve the equation.
7x = -21
x = -3
y = 4x
3x + y = -21
Step 4: Substitute back into either original
equation to find the value of the other
variable.
3x + y = -21
3(-3) + y = -21
-9 + y = -21
y = -12
Solution to the system is (-3, -12).
y = 4x
3x + y = -21
Step 5: Check the solution in both equations.
Solution to the system is (-3,-12).
y = 4x
-12 = 4(-3)
-12 = -12
3x + y = -21
3(-3) + (-12) = -21
-9 + (-12) = -21
-21= -21
Example #2:
x + y = 10
5x – y = 2
Step 1: Solve one equation for one variable.
x + y = 10
y = -x +10
Step 2: Substitute the expression from step one into
the other equation.
5x - y = 2
5x -(-x +10) = 2
x + y = 10
5x – y = 2
Step 3: Simplify and solve the equation.
5x -(-x + 10) = 2
5x + x -10 = 2
6x -10 = 2
6x = 12
x=2
x + y = 10
5x – y = 2
Step 4: Substitute back into either original
equation to find the value of the other
variable.
x + y = 10
2 + y = 10
y=8
Solution to the system is (2,8).
x + y = 10
5x – y = 2
Step 5: Check the solution in both equations.
Solution to the system is (2, 8).
x + y =10
2 + 8 =10
10 =10
5x – y = 2
5(2) - (8) = 2
10 – 8 = 2
2=2
Solve by substitution:
1. y  2x  2
2x  3y  10
2. 2a  3b  7

2a  b  5