Algebra 1

Section 7.1

Modeling with Systems of Equations

Systems of Equations

In the preceding sections, the ways in which a single relationship can be modeled by a single
equation were studied. However, it is not uncommon for a situation to have multiple relationships
that interact. Such a situation would require an equation for each relationship, and these equations
would need to be represented together to convey the nature of the entire situation. The equations
usually share the same variables, and each equation can be considered separately as a function that
can be graphed. A solution that satisfies all the equations in the system may exist. A requirement for
a solution to a system of equations to exist is that the number of equations must be greater than or
equal to the number of variables total in the system.

The first type of system of equations well consider is a system with two linear equations and two
variables. A solution to such a system would require a value for x and a value for y. An example of
such a system is given below.

3y = 2x + 1

y =x2

Notice that each of the equations separately are linear equations, and can be written as functions
by solving for y. Then, the equations describe how y changes as x changes. For this system, when
x = 7 and y = 5, both of the equations are satisfied, or true. However, at any other combination
of values of x and y, at least one of the equations will be false. Thus, a solution for the system of
equations is (7, 5). In 7.2 and 7.3, well discuss methods of solving systems of equation like this.

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Modeling with Systems of Linear Equations

If a situation involves two values which interact with each other by two linear relationships, then
a system of linear equations is appropriate to model the situation. Figuring out what the variables
are, however, can be difficult.

Consider a market that sells apples for $3 and peaches for $2. A customer buys 20 fruit and
is charged $50. We know the fruit arent all apples because 20 apples cost $60 and we know they
arent all peaches because 20 peaches cost $40. Notice 40 < 50 < 60, so there is a combination of
apples and peaches. The exact amount of each, however, is what we dont know. Thus, these quan-
tities are the variables of the system. Let a be the number of apples and let p be the number of peaches.

To write the equations of the system, ask the question "what is known about the variables". For
this example, we know the total number of fruit is 20, so a + p = 20. Also, we know the total cost is
$50. Use what is given about the prices of the fruit to conclude 3a + 2p = 50. That is, 3 dollars per
apple plus 2 dollars per peach when added together equals 50. These two equations are both linear
and are both true about the system. Thus, the system of equations is composed of those equations.
The system is given below.

a + p = 20

3a + 2p = 50

From the methods of 7.2 and 7.3, it is possible to deduce that 10 of each fruit are bought.

Enough information about the situation must be given to make a complete system. For example,
if the total price spent on fruit was not given but the total fruit was, there would be no way to write
more than one equation. Make sure that the problem has enough information before attempting to
write a system of equations. There should be two final quantities (such as the total price and number
of fruits) that are related to some combination of the two variables.

Not every system of linear equations has a solution. Additionally, some have infinite solutions.
How to determine the amount of solutions a system has is discussed in 7.2 and 7.3.

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Modeling with Systems of Linear Inequalities

Just as a system of equations can be used to describe a situation with variables interacting based
on exact relationships, a system of inequalities can be used to describe a situation with variables that
have relative relationships.

For example, consider a new bakery that makes cakes. They need to make at least 30 cakes. It
takes 1 pound of flour and 2 gallons of milk to make a cake, and it costs $2 for a pound of flour and
$4 for a gallon of milk. The bakery has $200 to spend on groceries A system of linear inequalities
can be used to describe this situation. Let f be the pounds of flour and m be the gallons of milk
the bakery has. Consider, then, that f + 2m 70, since 70 total products must be made. However,
2f + 4m 200, since the bakery cant spend more than $200. Thus, the system of inequalities for this
situation is the one given below.

f + 2m 70

2f + 4m 200

Notice that this system has multiple values that satisfy both equations. Thus, there is a range
of values for f and m that solve the system. This is usually the case for systems of linear inequalities.
It is possible for a system of linear inequalities to have no solutions, however. Again, the specifics of
how to solve systems of linear inequalities and determine the number of solutions a system has are
discussed in 7.3.

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Examples

Here are a few examples to test the concepts provided in this section. Answers can be found on
the following pages.

1. Sally and Tom walk a total of 10 miles to school, and Tom walks 1 less mile than twice the
number of miles Sally walks. Write a system of equations for the number of miles Sally and Tom
walk separately.

2. 2 pedals or 1 bar are needed to make a bike. The Aha bike store needs to produce at least 100
bikes, but has only $800 to buy the supplies for the bikes. Each pedal costs $1 and each bar
costs $3. Write a system of inequalities to model this situation.

3. Company a has $2, 000 and will make $20, 000 in profit every 5 years. Company b starts with
nothing saved but will make $20, 000 in profit every 4 years. Write a system of equations to
model the amount each company will have after t years. NOTE: this system has more variables
than equations, so it cannot be uniquely solved. Nonetheless, a system still exists.

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Solutions

These are the solutions to the questions on the previous page

1. Let t represent the number of miles Tom walks and s represent the number of miles Sally walks.
First, we know t + s = 10, since they walk a combined total of 10 miles. Next, we know t = 2s 1
since Tom walks 1 less mile than twice the number of miles Sally walks. These two equations
can be used to make the system of equations.

t + s = 10

t = 2s 1

2. Let p be the number of pedals the store buys and b be the number of bars the store buys. We
know 2p + b 100 since 2 pedals or 1 bar are/is needed to make a bike. Next, we know that
3b + p 800 because of the stores budget and it costs $3 for a bar and $1 for a pedal.

2p + b 100

3b + p 800

3. Let t be the number of years past (for time). Every year, company a makes $ 20,000
5 = $4, 000
20,000
profit. Every year, company b makes $ 4 = $5, 000 profit. Thus, given the starting amounts
for each company, if a represents the amount a has after t years and b represents the amount
company b has after t years, the system below describes the situation.

a = 4, 000t + 2, 000

b = 5, 000t