Graphing Systems of Equations and Testing Solutions – 2009

By the end of this class you will know how to determine if a point is a solution to a system of equations, solve a system of
equations by graphing, and determine the number of solutions to a system of equations graphically.

1. A system of equations is a set of equations such as the (e) Solve the system of equations by graphing
following:
y = 3x + 2
x − 3y = −18 y = −4x − 5
x + y = 10
−3x + y = −2

The system is graphed below.

2. The tortoise and hare problem can be represented by

a system of equations and solved by graphing. Let x
represent the race time in hours, and y the mile mark.

The tortoise and the hare have devised Solve the system by graphing
a staggered race. The tortoise begins

(a) Verify that the solution to the sys- the race at mile mark 6 and sets off

tem is (3, 7) by substituting for x and towards the end. At the same time,

y into each of the equations above the hare sets off from mile mark 1. If
x − 3y = −18 x + y = 10 −3x + y = −2 the tortoise can cover five miles in four

hours, and the hare can do seven miles

in three hours, when will they cross

paths and exactly how far will they

have travelled?

(b) Describe how to find the solution using the graph.

7
y= x+1
3
5
y = x+6
(c) Determine which point is the solution to the sys- 4
tem of equations below.
3. Write a system of equations for each problem, and solve
the system by graphing.
y =x−4 (a) Two cookies and a glass of milk costs $7, while
x + 4y = 24 3 cookies and two glasses of milk cost $11. How
much do cookies and milk cost individually?
The points are (4, 8), (5, 9), (8, 4), (10, 2)

(d) What is the solution to the system of equations

graphed below?

(b) Two trains leave Portland and Seattle at the same

time on the same line. Portland is mile 124 on the
Amtrak line and Seattle is mile 310. If the train to-
wards Seattle travels at 53 miles per hour and the
train towards Portland travels at about 51 mph, at
around what mile mark will they cross?
Solutions (e) Solve the system of equations by graphing

1. A system of equations is a set of equations such as the y = 3x + 2

following:
y = −4x − 5
x − 3y = −18
x + y = 10
−3x + y = −2

The system is graphed below.

2. The tortoise and hare problem can be represented by

a system of equations and solved by graphing. Let x
represent the race time in hours, and y the mile mark.

(a) Verify that the solution to the sys- The tortoise and the hare have devised Solve the system by graphing
tem is (3, 7) by substituting for x and a staggered race. The tortoise begins

y into each of the equations above the race at mile mark 6 and sets off

x − 3y = −18 x + y = 10 −3x + y = −2 towards the end. At the same time,

3 - 3(7) = -18 3 + 7 = 10 -3(3) + 7 = -2 the hare sets off from mile mark 1. If

the tortoise can cover five miles in four

hours, and the hare can do seven miles b

in three hours, when will they cross

paths and exactly how far will they

(b) Describe how to find the solution using the graph.
have travelled?
The x and y coordinates of the point where the lines
intersect are solutions to the system of equations.
7
y= x+1
3
5
y = x+6
(c) Determine which point is the solution to the sys- 4
tem of equations below.

3. Write a system of equations for each problem, and solve

y =x−4
x + 4y = 24
The points are (4, 8), (5, 9), (8, 4), (10, 2)
(8, 4) is the solution. It is the only one that sub-
stitutes into both equations.
the system by graphing.
(a) Two cookies and a glass of milk costs $7, while 3
cookies and two glasses of milk cost $11. How much
do cookies and milk cost individually? 2x + y = 7,
3x + 2y = 11

(d) What is the solution to the system of equations b

graphed below?

(b) Two trains leave Portland and Seattle at the same

time on the same line. Portland is mile 124 on the
Amtrak line and Seattle is mile 310. If the train to-
wards Seattle travels at 53 miles per hour and the
train towards Portland travels at about 51 mph, at
(5, -4) around what mile mark will they cross?
 300

250

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150

100

50

0
y = 310 − 51x (1) 0 1 2 3 4
y = 124 + 53x (2)