Chapter 4: Problem 16
Solve each system of equations by the substitution method. See Examples I through 6 $$ \left\\{\begin{array}{l} {3 y-x=6} \\ {4 x+12 y=0} \end{array}\right. $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solution is \( x = -3 \) and \( y = 1 \).
Step by step solution
01
Choose an Equation for Substitution
We start by isolating one variable in the first equation, which is simpler. The first equation is \( 3y - x = 6 \). Let's solve for \( x \). Add \( x \) to both sides to get \( 3y = x + 6 \). Then subtract 6 from both sides: \( x = 3y - 6 \).
02
Substitute the Expression into the Second Equation
Now substitute the expression for \( x \) from Step 1 into the second equation, \( 4x + 12y = 0 \). Replace \( x \) with \( 3y - 6 \): \( 4(3y - 6) + 12y = 0 \).
03
Simplify the Substituted Equation
Distribute 4 in the substituted equation: \( 12y - 24 + 12y = 0 \). Combine like terms: \( 24y - 24 = 0 \).
04
Solve for y
Add 24 to both sides: \( 24y = 24 \). Then divide both sides by 24 to isolate \( y \): \( y = 1 \).
05
Substitute Back to Find x
Substitute \( y = 1 \) back into the expression for \( x \) from Step 1: \( x = 3(1) - 6 \). Simplify this: \( x = 3 - 6 = -3 \).
06
Write the Solution
The solution to the system of equations is \( x = -3 \) and \( y = 1 \). This means the point of intersection of the lines represented by the equations is \((-3, 1)\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
System of Equations
A system of equations is a collection of two or more equations with a common set of variables. In our case, the system is composed of two linear equations:
- \( 3y - x = 6 \)
- \( 4x + 12y = 0 \)
Linear Equations
Linear equations form straight lines when graphed and have variables raised only to the first power, their standard form being \( ax + by = c \). The equations provided in our system are both linear. Let's break them down:
- The first equation, \( 3y - x = 6 \), can be rearranged to highlight its linear nature as \( x = 3y - 6 \). This shows \( x \) linearly dependent on \( y \).
- The second equation, \( 4x + 12y = 0 \), can also be formatted in a slope-intercept form to easily graph it: \( x = -3y \).
Problem Solving
Solving systems of equations requires strategic approaches to find common variable values. The substitution method is one such strategy. Here's why it is effective:
- It allows us to express one variable in terms of another, simplifying the problem. For example, from \( 3y - x = 6 \), we derived \( x = 3y - 6 \).
- This substitution is then used in the other equation, reducing the number of variables to one, making the math simpler by solving a single variable equation.
- Step by step, this approach narrows down our options, eventually leading us to a unique solution that satisfies both original equations.
Solution Steps
Breaking down the solution into clear steps makes solving systems manageable. Here's a recap of the substitution method applied in our example:
- Step 1: Choose an Equation for Substitution: Isolate one variable, say \( x = 3y - 6 \) from \( 3y - x = 6 \).
- Step 2: Substitute: Insert \( x = 3y - 6 \) into the second equation to form \( 4(3y - 6) + 12y = 0 \).
- Step 3: Simplify and Solve for \( y \): Combine and solve \( 24y - 24 = 0 \) yielding \( y = 1 \).
- Step 4: Find \( x \): Use \( y \)'s value, substitute back to get \( x = -3 \).
- Step 5: Conclude the Solution: The intersection is at \( (-3, 1) \), showing solutions \( x = -3 \) and \( y = 1 \).