Chapter 5: Problem 6
Solve each system by substitution. $$\begin{aligned}&x=y-8\\\&-3 x-y=12\end{aligned}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solution to the system of linear equations is the point of intersection: \((-5, 3)\).
Step by step solution
01
Solve one equation for either x or y
The first equation is already solved for x: \(x = y - 8\)
02
Substitute the obtained value from Step 1 into the second equation
Substitute the value of x (\(y - 8\)) into the second equation:
\(-3(x) - y = 12\)
\(-3(y - 8) - y = 12\)
03
Solve the second equation for y
Now, we will solve the second equation after substitution for y:
\(-3(y - 8) - y = 12\)
\(-3y + 24 - y = 12\)
\(-4y + 24 = 12\)
Now, subtract 24 from both sides:
\(-4y = -12\)
Now, divide both sides by -4:
\(y = 3\)
04
Substitute the obtained value of y back into the first equation and solve for x
We'll substitute the obtained value for y back into the first equation and solve for x:
\(x = y - 8\)
\(x = 3 - 8\)
Now, subtract 3 from both sides:
\(x = -5\)
05
Write the solution as an ordered pair (x, y)
The solution to the system of linear equations is:
\((x, y) = (-5, 3)\)
So, the system's solution is the point of intersection: \((-5, 3)\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Substitution Method
The substitution method is a straightforward way to solve a system of linear equations. It involves isolating one variable in one equation and then substituting that expression into the other equation. This technique gradually transforms a system of two equations into a single equation with one variable, making it easier to solve.Let's break this down further:
- Pick one of the equations and solve for one variable, either \(x\) or \(y\). For instance, from \(x = y - 8\), we already have \(x\) expressed in terms of \(y\).
- Substitute this expression into the other equation. In our example, replace \(x\) in \(-3x - y = 12\) with \(y - 8\).
- This substitution yields a new equation with only one variable to solve, simplifying the problem significantly.
Linear Equations
Linear equations are mathematical statements that describe a straight line when graphed. They are fundamental concepts in algebra and appear in the form \(ax + by = c\), where \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) are constants, and \(x\) and \(y\) are variables.Key features of linear equations include:
- The highest exponent of the variables is one, giving it a linearity property.
- Simpler than non-linear equations due to their constant rate of change.
- They often represent real-world relationships such as distance over time or financial arrangements.
Solving for Variables
Solving for variables is the process of determining the values of unknowns in equations. In a system of linear equations, solving for variables involves finding a specific numerical solution (or set of solutions) that satisfy all the equations simultaneously.Here's a breakdown of how we generally solve for variables:
- Use algebraic manipulation like adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing terms to isolate the variable.
- In our exercise, we solved \(-3(y - 8) - y = 12\) for \(y\) by simplifying and rearranging terms to find \(y = 3\).
- Once one variable is found, substitute it back into the other equation to find the second variable. Here, substituting \(y\) back gives us \(x = -5\).
- The final solution represents the intersection point of lines described by the equations, providing a visual correspondence as well as a numerical solution.