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Choose the Most Convenient Method to Solve a System of Linear Equations

In the following exercises, decide whether it would be more convenient to solve the system of equations by substitution or elimination.

{ 6 x 5 y = 27 3 x + 10 y = −24

elimination

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{ y = 3 x 9 4 x 5 y = 23

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Section 5.4 Solve Applications with Systems of Equations

Translate to a System of Equations

In the following exercises, translate to a system of equations. Do not solve the system.

The sum of two numbers is −32 . One number is two less than twice the other. Find the numbers.

{ x + y = −32 x = 2 y 2

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Four times a number plus three times a second number is −9 . Twice the first number plus the second number is three. Find the numbers.

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Last month Jim and Debbie earned $7,200. Debbie earned $1,600 more than Jim earned. How much did they each earn?

{ j + d = 7200 d = j + 1600

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Henri has $24,000 invested in stocks and bonds. The amount in stocks is $6,000 more than three times the amount in bonds. How much is each investment?

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Solve Direct Translation Applications

In the following exercises, translate to a system of equations and solve.

Pam is 3 years older than her sister, Jan. The sum of their ages is 99. Find their ages.

Pam is 51 and Jan is 48.

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Mollie wants to plant 200 bulbs in her garden. She wantsall irises and tulips. She wants to plant three times as many tulips as irises. How many irises and how many tulips should she plant?

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Solve Geometry Applications

In the following exercises, translate to a system of equations and solve.

The difference of two supplementary angles is 58 degrees. Find the measures of the angles.

The measures are 119 degrees and 61 degrees.

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Two angles are complementary. The measure of the larger angle is five more than four times the measure of the smaller angle. Find the measures of both angles.

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Becca is hanging a 28 foot floral garland on the two sides and top of a pergola to prepare for a wedding. The height is four feet less than the width. Find the height and width of the pergola.

The pergola is 8 feet high and 12 feet wide.

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The perimeter of a city rectangular park is 1428 feet. The length is 78 feet more than twice the width. Find the length and width of the park.

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Solve Uniform Motion Applications

In the following exercises, translate to a system of equations and solve.

Sheila and Lenore were driving to their grandmother’s house. Lenore left one hour after Sheila. Sheila drove at a rate of 45 mph, and Lenore drove at a rate of 60 mph. How long will it take for Lenore to catch up to Sheila?

It will take Lenore 3 hours.

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Bob left home, riding his bike at a rate of 10 miles per hour to go to the lake. Cheryl, his wife, left 45 minutes ( 3 4 hour) later, driving her car at a rate of 25 miles per hour. How long will it take Cheryl to catch up to Bob?

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Marcus can drive his boat 36 miles down the river in three hours but takes four hours to return upstream. Find the rate of the boat in still water and the rate of the current.

The rate of the boat is 10.5 mph. The rate of the current is 1.5 mph.

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A passenger jet can fly 804 miles in 2 hours with a tailwind but only 776 miles in 2 hours into a headwind. Find the speed of the jet in still air and the speed of the wind.

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Practice Key Terms 1

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Source:  OpenStax, Elementary algebra. OpenStax CNX. Jan 18, 2017 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col12116/1.2
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