2. All the slides in this presentation are timed.
You do not need to click the mouse or press any keys on
the keyboard for the presentation on each slide to continue.
However, in order to make sure the presentation does not
go too quickly, you will need to click the mouse or press a
key on the keyboard to advance to the next slide.
You will know when the slide is finished when you see a
small icon in the bottom left corner of the slide.
Click the mouse button to advance the slide when you see this icon.
3. What is a System of Linear Equations?
A system of linear equations is simply two or more linear equations
using the same variables.
We will only be dealing with systems of two equations using two
variables, x and y.
If the system of linear equations is going to have a solution, then
the solution will be an ordered pair (x , y) where x and y make
both equations true at the same time.
We will be working with the graphs of linear systems and how to find
their solutions graphically.
If the lines are parallel, there will be no solutions.
If the lines are the same, there will be an infinite number of solutions.
4. How to Use Graphs to Solve Linear Systems
x
y
Consider the following system:
x – y = –1
x + 2y = 5
Using the graph to the right, we can
see that any of these ordered pairs
will make the first equation true since
they lie on the line.
We can also see that any of these
points will make the second equation
true.
However, there is ONE coordinate
that makes both true at the same
time…
(1 , 2)
The point where they intersect makes both equations true at the same
time.
5. •If the lines cross once, there
will be one solution.
•If the lines are parallel, there
will be no solutions.
•If the lines are the same, there
will be an infinite number of solutions.
6. x – y = –1
x + 2y = 5
How to Use Graphs to Solve Linear Systems
x
y
Consider the following system:
(1 , 2)
We must ALWAYS verify that
your coordinates actually satisfy
both equations.
To do this, we substitute the
coordinate (1 , 2) into both
equations.
x – y = –1
(1) – (2) = –1 Since (1 , 2) makes both equations
true, then (1 , 2) is the solution to the
system of linear equations.
x + 2y = 5
(1) + 2(2) =
1 + 4 = 5
7. Graphing to Solve a Linear System
While there are many different
ways to graph these equations, we
will be using the slope - intercept
form.
To put the equations in slope
intercept form, we must solve both
equations for y.
Start with 3x + 6y = 15
Subtracting 3x from both sides yields
6y = –3x + 15
Dividing everything by 6 gives us…
5
1
2 2
y x
= - +
Similarly, we can add 2x to both
sides and then divide everything by
3 in the second equation to get
2
3 1
y x
= -
Now, we must graph these two equations.
Solve the following system by graphing:
3x + 6y = 15
–2x + 3y = –3
8. Graphing to Solve a Linear System
5
1
2 2
2
3 1
y x
y x
= - +
= -
Solve the following system by graphing:
3x + 6y = 15
–2x + 3y = –3
Using the slope intercept form of these
equations, we can graph them carefully
on graph paper.
x
y
Start at the y - intercept, then use the slope.
Label the
solution!
(3 , 1)
Lastly, we need to verify our solution is correct, by substituting (3 , 1).
Since and , then our solution is correct!
( ) ( )
3 3 6 1 15
+ = ( ) ( )
2 3 3 1 3
- + = -
9. Graphing to Solve a Linear System
Let's summarize! There are 4 steps to solving a linear system using a graph.
Step 1: Put both equations in slope -
intercept form.
Step 2: Graph both equations on the
same coordinate plane.
Step 3: Estimate where the graphs
intersect.
Step 4: Check to make sure your
solution makes both equations true.
Solve both equations for y, so that
each equation looks like
y = mx + b.
Use the slope and y - intercept for
each equation in step 1. Be sure to
use a ruler and graph paper!
This is the solution! LABEL the
solution!
Substitute the x and y values into both
equations to verify the point is a
solution to both equations.
10. x
y
LABEL the solution!
Graphing to Solve a Linear System
Step 1: Put both equations in slope -
intercept form.
Step 2: Graph both equations on the
same coordinate plane.
Step 3: Estimate where the graphs
intersect. LABEL the solution!
Step 4: Check to make sure your
solution makes both equations true.
Let's do ONE more…Solve the following system of equations by graphing.
2x + 2y = 3
x – 4y = -1
3
2
y x
= - +
1 1
4 4
y x
= +
( ) ( )
1
2
2 1 2 2 1 3
+ = + =
( )
1
2
1 4 1 2 1
- = - = -
( )
1
2
1,