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Equations · Systems of equations

Systems of three equations in three unknowns

In a café, three groups of friends order different combinations of ham, cheese and omelette sandwiches, and each group pays a different total. Three unknowns —the price of each sandwich— and three independent conditions. With two unknowns, two equations were enough; with three unknowns, you need three equations, and a method that keeps things simple: Gaussian elimination.

Before you start, make sure you know: Systems of linear equations (4th ESO)

A system of three equations in three unknowns

Three rectangular cards showing the three linear equations of the system set up for the price of the sandwiches. 3x + 2y + z = 14ham + cheese + omelette 2x + y + 3z = 13 x + 3y + 2z = 15
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Check whether the triple $x = 1$, $y = -1$, $z = 2$ is a solution to the following system. Justify your answer. $3x + y - z = 0$ $x - 2y + z = 5$ $2x + y + z = 3$

Check whether the triple $x = 1$, $y = -1$, $z = 2$ is a solution to the following system. Justify your answer.

$3x + y - z = 0$

$x - 2y + z = 5$

$2x + y + z = 3$

Solve

Echelon-form systems: back substitution

Diagram of a triangular system showing, with an arrow, the method of solving by back substitution. x + 2y − z = 4 3y + z = 5 2z = 4 substitute upwards
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Solve the following system of linear equations, which is already in echelon form, using back-substitution: $x + 2y - z = 4$ $3y + z = 5$ $2z = 4$

Solve the following system of linear equations, which is already in echelon form, using back-substitution:

$x + 2y - z = 4$

$3y + z = 5$

$2z = 4$

Solve

Gaussian elimination: turning any system into echelon form

Three-step diagram of Gaussian elimination for reducing to echelon form and solving a system of three unknowns. Step 1: eliminate x from rows 2 and 3 using row 1 Step 2: eliminate y from row 3 using row 2 Step 3: solve from the bottom up
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Apply Gaussian elimination to transform into triangular form and solve the following system of equations: $x - y + z = 2$ $2x + y - z = 1$ $x + 2y + z = 7$

Apply Gaussian elimination to transform into triangular form and solve the following system of equations:

$x - y + z = 2$

$2x + y - z = 1$

$x + 2y + z = 7$

Solve
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Solve the following system of linear equations containing fractional coefficients. Simplify the equations before applying Gaussian elimination:…

Solve the following system of linear equations containing fractional coefficients. Simplify the equations before applying Gaussian elimination:

$\frac{x}{2} + \frac{y}{3} - z = 1$

$x - \frac{y}{2} + \frac{z}{4} = 2$

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

Solve

The three types of solution

Classification of a linear system according to the form of the last equation: consistent determinate, indeterminate or inconsistent. az = b, a≠0 → unique z → consistent determinate 0 = 0 → infinitely many solutions → consistent indeterminate 0 = b, b≠0 → impossible → inconsistent
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Transform the following system into triangular form using Gaussian elimination and state whether it is an Inconsistent System: $x + y + z = 1$ $2x + y - z = 0$…

Transform the following system into triangular form using Gaussian elimination and state whether it is an Inconsistent System:

$x + y + z = 1$

$2x + y - z = 0$

$3x + 2y = 5$

Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
Apply Gaussian elimination to the following system and check that it is a consistent dependent system by obtaining an equation of the form $0 = 0$: $x - y + 2z = 3$…

Apply Gaussian elimination to the following system and check that it is a consistent dependent system by obtaining an equation of the form $0 = 0$:

$x - y + 2z = 3$

$-2x + 2y - 4z = -6$

$3x - 3y + 6z = 9$

Solve
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Solve the following consistent dependent system and express its infinitely many solutions in terms of a parameter $\lambda$: $x + 2y - z = 4$ $2x - y + 3z = 3$…

Solve the following consistent dependent system and express its infinitely many solutions in terms of a parameter $\lambda$:

$x + 2y - z = 4$

$2x - y + 3z = 3$

$3x + y + 2z = 7$

Solve

Planes in space and real-life problems

Each linear equation in three unknowns is a plane. A consistent determinate system is three planes meeting at a single point; this is the three-dimensional version of "two lines that meet at a point".

Three-dimensional representation of three planes in space that intersect at a single common point. three planes meeting at a single point: consistent determinate
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The sum of three numbers is $12$. The first plus the second add up to $7$. The second plus the third add up to $9$. Set up a system of three equations with three…

The sum of three numbers is $12$. The first plus the second add up to $7$. The second plus the third add up to $9$. Set up a system of three equations with three unknowns and determine the value of these numbers.

Solve
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In a café, three types of sandwiches are sold: ham, cheese, and omelette. One group of friends orders $3$ ham, $2$ cheese, and $1$ omelette, paying $14$ euros. Another…

In a café, three types of sandwiches are sold: ham, cheese, and omelette. One group of friends orders $3$ ham, $2$ cheese, and $1$ omelette, paying $14$ euros. Another group orders $2$ ham, $1$ cheese, and $3$ omelette, paying $13$ euros. A third group orders $1$ ham, $3$ cheese, and $2$ omelette, paying $15$ euros. Set up and solve a system to calculate the price of each type of sandwich.

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
Three machines A, B, and C manufacture parts in a factory. Working together, machine A and machine B manufacture $50$ parts per hour. Machine B and machine C together…

Three machines A, B, and C manufacture parts in a factory. Working together, machine A and machine B manufacture $50$ parts per hour. Machine B and machine C together manufacture $70$ parts per hour. Finally, machine A and machine C together manufacture $60$ parts per hour. Calculate how many parts per hour each machine manufactures individually.

Solve

Back to the start: solving the café system ($3x + 2y + z = 14$, $2x + y + 3z = 13$, $x + 3y + 2z = 15$) using Gaussian elimination, we find that the ham sandwich costs $2$ €, the cheese sandwich $3$ € and the omelette sandwich $2$ €.

Summary

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