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Equations · Systems of equations

Systems of three equations with three unknowns

Before you start, make sure you know: Systems of linear equations (High School Year 1 (semesters 1 and 2))

At a taco stand, three groups of friends order tacos al pastor, suadero tacos, and campechano tacos. Each group pays a different bill, and you don't know the price of any taco. That's three unknowns and three bills. With two unknowns, two equations were enough; with three you need three, plus an orderly method so you don't get lost: Gaussian elimination. By the end of this page you'll know how much each taco costs.

A system of three equations with three unknowns

Three cards showing the three equations of the taco stand system: 3x+2y+z=110, 2x+y+3z=125, and x+3y+2z=125. 3x + 2y + z = 110group 1: pastor, suadero, campechano 2x + y + 3z = 125 x + 3y + 2z = 125
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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
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Write a linear system of three equations in three unknowns whose unique solution is the ordered triple $x = 2$, $y = 0$, $z = -1$.

Write a linear system of three equations in three unknowns whose unique solution is the ordered triple $x = 2$, $y = 0$, $z = -1$.

Solve

Echelon systems: back substitution

Diagram of a triangular system with an arrow indicating back substitution, from the last equation to the first. x − y + 2z = 3 2y − z = 0 3z = 6 substitute upward

A special case is when each equation is missing one unknown, such as $x+y=5$, $y+z=7$, $x+z=6$. Here a trick is to add all three: $2(x+y+z)=18$, so $x+y+z=9$. Then you subtract each equation from that total.

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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
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Solve the following system where one unknown is missing in each equation: $x + y = 5$ $y + z = 7$ $x + z = 6$

Solve the following system where one unknown is missing in each equation:

$x + y = 5$

$y + z = 7$

$x + z = 6$

Solve

Gaussian elimination: turning any system into echelon form

Three-step diagram of Gaussian elimination: eliminate x, eliminate y, solve from the bottom up. 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 system according to its last equation: independent, dependent, or inconsistent. az = b, with a ≠ 0 → unique z → SCD 0 = 0 → infinitely many solutions → SCI 0 = b, with b ≠ 0 → impossible → SI
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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
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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

Systems with parameters

When an equation contains a letter ($k$, $m$, $a$, $b$), the type of system depends on its value. You triangularize as usual and look at the last row: there you'll find something like (coefficient)$\cdot z$ = (number). Then you study when the coefficient equals zero.

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Find the values of the parameter $k$ for which the following system is inconsistent: $x + y - z = 2$ $2x - y + z = 1$ $3x + y - z = k$

Find the values of the parameter $k$ for which the following system is inconsistent:

$x + y - z = 2$

$2x - y + z = 1$

$3x + y - z = k$

Solve
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Discuss the following system of equations depending on the values of the parameter $m$. State for which values of $m$ the system is consistent independent, consistent…

Discuss the following system of equations depending on the values of the parameter $m$. State for which values of $m$ the system is consistent independent, consistent dependent, or inconsistent.

$x + y + z = 1$

$x + my + z = m$

$x + y + m^{2}z = m^{2}$

Solve
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Find the values of the parameters $a$ and $b$ for which the following system of equations is consistent dependent: $x - y + 2z = 1$ $2x + ay - z = 3$ $3x + y + bz = 4$

Find the values of the parameters $a$ and $b$ for which the following system of equations is consistent dependent:

$x - y + 2z = 1$

$2x + ay - z = 3$

$3x + y + bz = 4$

Solve

Planes in space and lines of solutions

Each linear equation with three unknowns is a plane. An SCD is three planes that meet at a single point, the three-dimensional version of "two lines that cross at a point."

Three planes in space meeting at a single common point. three planes meeting at one point: SCD
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Geometrically, a linear equation in three unknowns represents a plane in space. Observe the following graphical representation where three planes intersect along a…

Geometrically, a linear equation in three unknowns represents a plane in space. Observe the following graphical representation where three planes intersect along a single straight line, forming a sheaf of planes.

X Y Z r

Given the system:

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

$\pi_{2}: 2x - y + z = 1$

$\pi_{3}: 4x + 3y - z = k$

Calculate the value of $k$ so that the three planes intersect in a single straight line (a consistent dependent system with one degree of freedom) and express the parametric equation of that line of intersection.

Solve

A change of variable

Some systems are not linear in $x$, $y$, $z$, but they are linear in other expressions. For example, if the unknowns appear as $\frac{1}{x}$, $\frac{1}{y}$, $\frac{1}{z}$, you let $u = \frac{1}{x}$, $v = \frac{1}{y}$, $w = \frac{1}{z}$. You solve the linear system in $u$, $v$, $w$ and at the end you undo the change.

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Solve the following non-linear system of equations by applying a suitable change of variables (for example, $u = \frac{1}{x}$, $v = \frac{1}{y}$, $w = \frac{1}{z}$):…

Solve the following non-linear system of equations by applying a suitable change of variables (for example, $u = \frac{1}{x}$, $v = \frac{1}{y}$, $w = \frac{1}{z}$):

$\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{y} = 5$

$\frac{1}{y} + \frac{1}{z} = 7$

$\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{z} = 6$

Solve

Word problems with three unknowns

At the taco stand from the beginning, the system $3x+2y+z=110$, $2x+y+3z=125$, $x+3y+2z=125$ is solved with Gaussian elimination (or by adding all three: $x+y+z=60$). You get $x = 15$, $y = 20$, $z = 25$: the pastor taco costs $\$15$, the suadero $\$20$, and the campechano $\$25$. Check it in the third bill: $15 + 60 + 50 = 125$.

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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 omelet. One group of friends orders $3$ ham, $2$ cheese, and $1$ omelet, paying $280$ pesos. Another…

In a café, three types of sandwiches are sold: ham, cheese, and omelet. One group of friends orders $3$ ham, $2$ cheese, and $1$ omelet, paying $280$ pesos. Another group orders $2$ ham, $1$ cheese, and $3$ omelet, paying $260$ pesos. A third group orders $1$ ham, $3$ cheese, and $2$ omelet, paying $300$ pesos. Set up and solve a system to calculate the price of each type of sandwich.

Solve
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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

More problems: ages, points, and angles

The same three steps work in any context. Pay attention to what each phrase says:

  • "Twice as much as" is written $a = 2b$, and "$30$ years older" is $b = c + 30$.

  • "Add up to $180^\circ$" or "add up to $120$" is an equation with all three unknowns.

  • In sports, each type of score is worth a different number of points: multiply the number of scores by its value.

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The ages of a grandfather, his son, and his grandson sum to $120$ years. The grandfather is twice as old as the son. Furthermore, the son is $30$ years older than the…

The ages of a grandfather, his son, and his grandson sum to $120$ years. The grandfather is twice as old as the son. Furthermore, the son is $30$ years older than the grandson. Determine the age of each person by setting up a system of three equations.

Solve
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In a basketball game, a player scored a total of $15$ field goals and free throws, getting $30$ points. Knowing that the number of two-point baskets is triple the number…

In a basketball game, a player scored a total of $15$ field goals and free throws, getting $30$ points. Knowing that the number of two-point baskets is triple the number of three-point baskets, and that he also scored free throws (which are worth one point), set up a system of equations to find out how many baskets of each type he made.

Solve
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In a triangle, the sum of its three interior angles $A$, $B$, and $C$ is $180^{\circ}$. Angle $A$ is equal to the sum of angles $B$ and $C$. Furthermore, angle $B$ is…

In a triangle, the sum of its three interior angles $A$, $B$, and $C$ is $180^{\circ}$. Angle $A$ is equal to the sum of angles $B$ and $C$. Furthermore, angle $B$ is twice angle $C$. Set up a system of three equations and determine the measure of the three angles.

Solve

Digits, alloys, and integer solutions

For a three-digit number $c\,d\,u$, its value is $100c + 10d + u$. When you reverse the digits you get $100u + 10d + c$. In a mixture, the amount of each metal is the percentage by mass of each alloy.

If a system is SCI, sometimes the context adds conditions (integers, positive numbers) that leave only a few solutions.

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The sum of the three digits of a number is $15$. If the order of the digits is reversed, the resulting number is $198$ units greater than the original number.…

The sum of the three digits of a number is $15$. If the order of the digits is reversed, the resulting number is $198$ units greater than the original number. Furthermore, the tens digit is the arithmetic mean of the hundreds digit and the units digit. Find the original number. (Note: A three-digit number $c$, $d$, $u$ has a value of $100c + 10d + u$).

Solve
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A transportation company acquires three types of vehicles: vans, light trucks, and heavy trucks. The total number of vehicles acquired is known to be $30$. The cost of…

A transportation company acquires three types of vehicles: vans, light trucks, and heavy trucks. The total number of vehicles acquired is known to be $30$. The cost of each van is $400\,000$ pesos, each light truck is $600\,000$ pesos, and each heavy truck is $1\,000\,000$ pesos. If the total investment was $17\,000\,000$ pesos, set up the system and show that it is a consistent dependent system. Then, find all possible integer solutions knowing that the company bought at least one vehicle of each type.

Solve
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Three alloys of silver, copper, and zinc are available. The first contains $10\%$ silver, $70\%$ copper, and $20\%$ zinc. The second contains $30\%$ silver, $40\%$…

Three alloys of silver, copper, and zinc are available. The first contains $10\%$ silver, $70\%$ copper, and $20\%$ zinc. The second contains $30\%$ silver, $40\%$ copper, and $30\%$ zinc. The third contains $20\%$ silver, $50\%$ copper, and $30\%$ zinc. We want to obtain $100$ kg of a new alloy containing exactly $22\%$ silver and $52\%$ copper. Set up the system of equations to calculate how many kilograms of each alloy must be mixed, and solve it.

Solve
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Prove algebraically that if a linear system of three equations in three unknowns admits two distinct solutions, for example $S_{1} = (1, 0, 0)$ and $S_{2} = (0, 1, 0)$,…

Prove algebraically that if a linear system of three equations in three unknowns admits two distinct solutions, for example $S_{1} = (1, 0, 0)$ and $S_{2} = (0, 1, 0)$, then it admits infinitely many solutions. To do this, verify that any linear combination of the form $S = \lambda S_{1} + (1-\lambda)S_{2}$ is also a solution to the system.

Solve

Summary

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