Using Algebraic Methods to Solve the System of Equations

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 141 views

Introduction

Solving a system of equations is a fundamental concept in mathematics that involves finding the values of variables that satisfy multiple equations simultaneously. In this article, we will focus on solving a specific system of equations, which involves fractions and linear equations. We will use a step-by-step approach to solve the system of equations and provide a clear understanding of the solution process.

The System of Equations

The given system of equations is:

{ \begin{array}{l} \frac{3x - 2y}{8} + 4y = \frac{-13}{3} \\ \frac{2(-2y + x)}{3} - \frac{3x}{2} = \frac{-13}{6} \end{array} \}

To solve this system of equations, we need to first simplify the equations and then use algebraic methods to find the values of x and y.

Simplifying the Equations

Let's start by simplifying the first equation:

$\frac{3x - 2y}{8} + 4y = \frac{-13}{3}$

We can start by multiplying both sides of the equation by 8 to eliminate the fraction:

$3x - 2y + 32y = -\frac{104}{3}$

Now, we can combine like terms:

$3x + 30y = -\frac{104}{3}$

Next, let's simplify the second equation:

$\frac{2(-2y + x)}{3} - \frac{3x}{2} = \frac{-13}{6}$

We can start by multiplying both sides of the equation by 6 to eliminate the fraction:

$4(-2y + x) - 9x = -13$

Now, we can distribute the 4 and combine like terms:

$-8y + 4x - 9x = -13$

$-8y - 5x = -13$

Using Algebraic Methods to Solve the System of Equations

Now that we have simplified the equations, we can use algebraic methods to solve the system of equations. One method is to use the substitution method, where we solve one equation for one variable and then substitute that expression into the other equation.

Let's start by solving the first equation for x:

$3x + 30y = -\frac{104}{3}$

We can subtract 30y from both sides of the equation:

$3x = -\frac{104}{3} - 30y$

Now, we can divide both sides of the equation by 3:

$x = -\frac{104}{9} - 10y$

Now that we have expressed x in terms of y, we can substitute this expression into the second equation:

$-8y - 5x = -13$

We can substitute the expression for x into the equation:

$-8y - 5(-\frac{104}{9} - 10y) = -13$

Now, we can simplify the equation:

$-8y + \frac{520}{9} + 50y = -13$

We can combine like terms:

$42y + \frac{520}{9} = -13$

Now, we can multiply both sides of the equation by 9 to eliminate the fraction:

$378y + 520 = -117$

Now, we can subtract 520 from both sides of the equation:

$378y = -637$

Now, we can divide both sides of the equation by 378:

$y = -\frac{637}{378}$

Now that we have found the value of y, we can substitute this value back into one of the original equations to find the value of x.

Let's substitute the value of y into the first equation:

$\frac{3x - 2y}{8} + 4y = \frac{-13}{3}$

We can substitute the value of y into the equation:

$\frac{3x - 2(-\frac{637}{378})}{8} + 4(-\frac{637}{378}) = \frac{-13}{3}$

Now, we can simplify the equation:

$\frac{3x + \frac{1274}{378}}{8} - \frac{2548}{378} = \frac{-13}{3}$

We can multiply both sides of the equation by 8 to eliminate the fraction:

$3x + \frac{1274}{378} - \frac{2548}{378} = -\frac{104}{3}$

Now, we can combine like terms:

$3x - \frac{1274}{378} = -\frac{104}{3}$

We can multiply both sides of the equation by 378 to eliminate the fraction:

$1134x - 1274 = -\frac{37792}{3}$

We can multiply both sides of the equation by 3 to eliminate the fraction:

$3402x - 3822 = -37792$

Now, we can add 3822 to both sides of the equation:

$3402x = -34070$

Now, we can divide both sides of the equation by 3402:

$x = -\frac{34070}{3402}$

$x = -10$

Now that we have found the values of x and y, we can verify that these values satisfy both equations.

Conclusion

In this article, we have solved a system of equations that involves fractions and linear equations. We used a step-by-step approach to simplify the equations and then used algebraic methods to find the values of x and y. The values of x and y that we found satisfy both equations, and we have verified this using substitution.

Solving systems of equations is an important concept in mathematics that has many real-world applications. In this article, we have demonstrated how to solve a system of equations using algebraic methods, and we have provided a clear understanding of the solution process.

Final Answer

The final answer is:

x = -10 y = -\frac{637}{378}

Introduction

Solving a system of equations is a fundamental concept in mathematics that involves finding the values of variables that satisfy multiple equations simultaneously. In our previous article, we solved a specific system of equations that involved fractions and linear equations. In this article, we will provide a Q&A guide to help you understand the solution process and answer any questions you may have.

Q: What is a system of equations?

A: A system of equations is a set of two or more equations that involve multiple variables. The goal is to find the values of the variables that satisfy all the equations simultaneously.

Q: How do I know if a system of equations has a solution?

A: To determine if a system of equations has a solution, you need to check if the equations are consistent. If the equations are consistent, then the system has a solution. If the equations are inconsistent, then the system does not have a solution.

Q: What are the different methods for solving a system of equations?

A: There are several methods for solving a system of equations, including:

Substitution method: This method involves solving one equation for one variable and then substituting that expression into the other equation.
Elimination method: This method involves adding or subtracting the equations to eliminate one variable.
Graphical method: This method involves graphing the equations on a coordinate plane and finding the point of intersection.

Q: How do I choose the best method for solving a system of equations?

A: The best method for solving a system of equations depends on the type of equations and the variables involved. If the equations are linear, the substitution or elimination method may be the best choice. If the equations are non-linear, the graphical method may be the best choice.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when solving a system of equations?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when solving a system of equations include:

Not checking for consistency: Make sure to check if the equations are consistent before solving the system.
Not using the correct method: Choose the best method for solving the system based on the type of equations and variables involved.
Not verifying the solution: Make sure to verify that the solution satisfies all the equations.

Q: How do I verify that the solution satisfies all the equations?

A: To verify that the solution satisfies all the equations, you need to substitute the values of the variables into each equation and check if the equation is true.

Q: What are some real-world applications of solving a system of equations?

A: Solving a system of equations has many real-world applications, including:

Physics: Solving a system of equations is used to model the motion of objects and predict their behavior.
Engineering: Solving a system of equations is used to design and optimize systems, such as electrical circuits and mechanical systems.
Economics: Solving a system of equations is used to model economic systems and predict the behavior of markets.

Q: Can you provide an example of a system of equations with a solution?

A: Yes, here is an example of a system of equations with a solution:

{ \begin{array}{l} x + y = 4 \\ 2x - 3y = -3 \end{array} \}

To solve this system of equations, we can use the substitution method. We can solve the first equation for x:

$x = 4 - y$

Now, we can substitute this expression into the second equation:

$2(4 - y) - 3y = -3$

We can simplify the equation:

$8 - 2y - 3y = -3$

We can combine like terms:

$-5y = -11$

Now, we can divide both sides of the equation by -5:

$y = \frac{11}{5}$

Now that we have found the value of y, we can substitute this value back into one of the original equations to find the value of x.

Let's substitute the value of y into the first equation:

$x + \frac{11}{5} = 4$

We can subtract $\frac{11}{5}$ from both sides of the equation:

$x = 4 - \frac{11}{5}$

We can simplify the equation:

$x = \frac{19}{5}$

Now that we have found the values of x and y, we can verify that these values satisfy both equations.

Conclusion

In this article, we have provided a Q&A guide to help you understand the solution process for solving a system of equations. We have covered topics such as the different methods for solving a system of equations, how to choose the best method, and how to verify that the solution satisfies all the equations. We have also provided an example of a system of equations with a solution.