Chapter 3: Problem 19
Solve each system by substitution. See Examples 1 and 2 . $$ \left\\{\begin{array}{l} 0.3 a+0.1 b=0.5 \\ \frac{4}{3} a+\frac{1}{3} b=3 \end{array}\right. $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solution is \((a, b) = (4, -7)\).
Step by step solution
01
Solve One Equation for One Variable
Start with the first equation: \(0.3a + 0.1b = 0.5\). Let's solve for \(b\) in terms of \(a\). First, isolate \(b\): \(0.1b = 0.5 - 0.3a\). Then, solve for \(b\) by dividing through by 0.1: \(b = \frac{0.5 - 0.3a}{0.1}\). Simplify the expression: \(b = 5 - 3a\).
02
Substitute into the Second Equation
Substitute \(b = 5 - 3a\) from Step 1 into the second equation: \(\frac{4}{3}a + \frac{1}{3}(5 - 3a) = 3\).
03
Simplify and Solve for 'a'
Distribute and simplify the second equation: \(\frac{4}{3}a + \frac{5}{3} - a = 3\). Combine like terms: \(\left(\frac{4}{3} - 1\right)a + \frac{5}{3} = 3\) which simplifies to \(\frac{1}{3}a + \frac{5}{3} = 3\). Subtract \(\frac{5}{3}\) from both sides: \(\frac{1}{3}a = 3 - \frac{5}{3}\). Simplify the right-hand side: \(\frac{1}{3}a = \frac{9}{3} - \frac{5}{3} = \frac{4}{3}\). Multiply by 3 to solve for \(a\), resulting in \(a = 4\).
04
Replace 'a' in the Expression for 'b'
Using the expression \(b = 5 - 3a\) from Step 1, substitute \(a = 4\): \(b = 5 - 3(4)\). Calculate \(b = 5 - 12 = -7\).
05
Check Your Solution
Verify the solution \((a, b) = (4, -7)\) by substituting back into the original equations: For the first equation, \(0.3(4) + 0.1(-7) = 1.2 - 0.7 = 0.5\), which is correct. For the second equation, \(\frac{4}{3}(4) + \frac{1}{3}(-7) = \frac{16}{3} - \frac{7}{3} = 3\), which is also correct. The solutions satisfy both equations.
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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 powerful and straightforward technique for solving systems of equations. Let's explore how it works using our two linear equations:
- Step 1 is all about picking one equation and solving it for one of the variables. For instance, we changed the first equation to express \( b \) in terms of \( a \): \( b = 5 - 3a \). This step involves isolating the variable on one side of the equation, making it easier to substitute into the other equation.
- In Step 2, we substitute the expression we found for \( b \) into the second equation. This means replacing every instance of \( b \) in that equation with \( 5 - 3a \), which simplifies the task significantly, reducing the number of variables to manage.
Linear Equations
Linear equations are the foundation of algebra and model a relationship in which each variable corresponds to a constant rate of change. In the system given:
- Each equation represents a straight line in a coordinate system, with solutions being the points where these lines intersect.
- The equation \( 0.3a + 0.1b = 0.5 \) represents one line, and \( \frac{4}{3}a + \frac{1}{3}b = 3 \) represents another. Where they meet is the solution to the system, indicating values for \( a \) and \( b \) that satisfy both equations simultaneously.
Algebraic Manipulation
Algebraic manipulation is a set of techniques used to rearrange equations and expressions, making them easier to work with. In our solution:
- We used basic rules of algebra to isolate variables and simplify expressions. For example, solving \( 0.1b = 0.5 - 0.3a \) involved dividing by 0.1 to get \( b = 5 - 3a \).
- Another crucial step was distributing the \( \frac{1}{3} \) in the equation \( \frac{1}{3}(5 - 3a) \), leading to further simplification.
- Further, combining like terms, such as in \( \left(\frac{4}{3} - 1\right)a + \frac{5}{3} = 3 \), helped to streamline the process.