Systems of three equations with three unknowns
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
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.
$3x + y - z = 0$
$x - 2y + z = 5$
$2x + y + z = 3$
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 $x = 2$, $y = 0$, $z = -1$.
Echelon systems: back substitution
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.
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 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:
$x + y = 5$
$y + z = 7$
$x + z = 6$
Gaussian elimination: turning any system into echelon form
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 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:
$\frac{x}{2} + \frac{y}{3} - z = 1$
$x - \frac{y}{2} + \frac{z}{4} = 2$
$\frac{x}{3} + y - \frac{z}{2} = 3$
The three types of solution
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:
$x + y + z = 1$
$2x + y - z = 0$
$3x + 2y = 5$
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 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 $\lambda$:
$x + 2y - z = 4$
$2x - y + 3z = 3$
$3x + y + 2z = 7$
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.
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:
$x + y - z = 2$
$2x - y + z = 1$
$3x + y - z = k$
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.
$x + y + z = 1$
$x + my + z = m$
$x + y + m^{2}z = m^{2}$
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:
$x - y + 2z = 1$
$2x + ay - z = 3$
$3x + y + bz = 4$
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."
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.
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.
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.
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, $u = \frac{1}{x}$, $v = \frac{1}{y}$, $w = \frac{1}{z}$):
$\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{y} = 5$
$\frac{1}{y} + \frac{1}{z} = 7$
$\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{z} = 6$
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: $15 + 60 + 50 = 125$.
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.
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.
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.
More problems: ages, points, and angles
The same three steps work in any context. Pay attention to what each phrase says:
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"Twice as much as" is written $a = 2b$, and "$30$ years older" is $b = c + 30$.
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"Add up to $180^\circ$" or "add up to $120$" is an equation with all three unknowns.
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In sports, each type of score is worth a different number of points: multiply the number of scores by its value.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 $100c + 10d + u$).
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.
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.
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.