Monday, August 27, 2012

System of equations word problems


System of equations word problems

System of equations: A pair of linear equations in two variables is said to form system of equations

System of equations word problems are problems related to day -to-day life.

Algorithm for solving system of equations word problems:

    Read the problem carefully and identify the unknown quantities.
    Name these quantities as variable name like x, y, u , v, w, etc.
    Identify the variables to be determined.
    Read the problem carefully and formulate the equations in terms of the variables to be determined
    Solve the equation obtained by substitution, elimination or by cross multiplication method.




Examples of System of Equations Word Problems - I

1) The sum of a two-digit number and the number obtained by reversing the order of its digit is 121 and the two digits differ by 3. Find the number.

Solution: Let the digit in unit's place = x

                Let the digit in ten's place = y

                Thus the number is  10y + x

                On reversing the order of the digits, the number is 10x + y

                Sum of two-digit number and the number obtained by reversing is 121

                 (10y + x) + (10x + y) = 121

                  10x + x + 10y + y = 121

                   11x + 11y = 121

                     x + y = 11     ----------(1)                       (take 11 as common factor)

                     Again, the two digits differ by 3

                    x - y = 3     ---------(2)

                      or      

                   x - y = -3       ----------(3)

                  We will solve the equation by elimination method,

                 Consider equation (1) and (2)              or                       consider equation (1) or (3)

                  x + y = 11                                                                               x +y = 11

                 x - y = 3                                                                                   x - y = - 3

                2x + 0 = 14                                                                             2x + 0 = 8

                2x = 14                                                                                    2x = 8

                 x = 7                                                                                           x = 4

                 If x = 7,  then                                                                      If x = 4 then

                  x + y = 11                                                                              x + y = 11

                  7 + y = 11                                                                             4 + y = 11

                   y = 11 - 7                                                                             y = 11 - 4

                  y = 4                                                                                     y = 7

                  If y = 4 and  x = 7 then number is 47

                   If y = 7 and x = 4 then number is 74

2) A father is three times as old as his son. After twelve years, his age will be twice as that of his son then.  Find their present ages.

Sol:  Let father's age = x years

                  Let son's age  = y years

                 Father is three times as old as his son

                 x = 3 y.

                 x - 3y = 0                -------------(1)

                After twelve years,   father's age = (x + 12)  and son's age (y + 12)

                 Father age is twice of his son,

                (x+12) = 2(y+12)

                 x +12 = 2y + 24

                x - 2y +12 - 24 = 0

                x -2y =  12 ---------------(2)

                  Solving equation (1) and (2) by elimination method,

                  x - 3y = 0

                  -x + 2y = -12

                  0 - y = -12

                     - y = -12

                       y = 12

                  Son's age = 12 years

                  Father's age = x = 3y = 3 * 12 = 36 years
Examples of System of Equations Word Problem - Ii

Ex: 1 The area of a rectangle gets reduced by 9 square units if its length is reduced by 5 units and the width is increased by 3 units. If we increase the length by 3 units and width by 2 units, the area is increased by 67 square unit. Find the length and width of the rectangle.

Sol: Let length of a rectangle = x units

                 Let width of a rectangle = y units.

                Area of rectangle = xy

                Length reduced by 5 units = x -5

                Width increased by 3 units = y+3

                 Area of rectangle reduced by 9 units

                xy - 9 = ( x - 5) ( y + 3)

                          =  xy -5y+3x -15

                 -9 = -5y +3x -15

                3x -5y +9 - 15 = 0

                3x - 5y -6 = 0

                 3x - 5y = 6 ---------------------(1)

               If length is increased by 3 units = x + 3

                    width is increased by 2 units = y + 2

               Area is increased by 67 square units

                xy + 67 = (x+3) (y +2)

               xy + 67 = xy +2x +3y +6

                67 = 2x + 3y + 6

                2x + 3y = 67 - 6

                2x + 3y = 61              -----------------(2)

               Now, consider the two equations (1) and (2)

               3x - 5y = 6

               2x + 3y = 61

              Solve these two equations by elimination method

                 In both the equations,  coefficient of x is 2 and 3, so, L.c.m is 6

              Multiply equation (1) by 2     and  equation (2) by 3

              2 *(3x -5y = 6)  `=>`    6x  - 10y   = 12           --------------(3)

             3 * ( 2x + 3y = 61) `=>` 6x + 9y = 183           --------------(4)

             Subtract equation (1) by (2)

              6x - 10y = 12

             -6x -9y = -183

              0 -19 y = - 171

                 19 y = 171

                `(19y)/(19) = (171)/(19)`

                       y  = 9

                 So for y = 9, from equation (1)

                 3x - 5(9) = 6

                 3x - 45 = 6

                 3x = 6 + 45

                 3x = 51

                 `(3x)/(3) = (51)/(3)`

                    x = 17

             Length = 17 units

             Width = 9 units

Algebra is widely used in day to day activities watch out for my forthcoming posts
Graphing Linear Inequalities and  Linear    Equations with 
Fractions
 I am sure they will be helpful.

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