3.

3: Applications of Linear Systems with Two Variables

Learning Objectives
Set up and solve applications involving relationships between two variables.
Set up and solve mixture problems.
Set up and solve uniform motion problems (distance problems).

Problems Involving Relationships between Two Variables

If we translate an application to a mathematical setup using two variables, then we need to form a linear system with
two equations. Setting up word problems with two variables often simplifies the entire process, particularly when the
relationships between the variables are not so clear.

Example 3.3.1:
4573
The sum of times a larger integer and times a smaller integer is . When twice the smaller integer is subtracted
from 11
times the larger, the result is . Find the integers.
Solution
Begin by assigning variables to the larger and smaller integer.
x
Let represent the larger integer.
y
Let represent the smaller integer.
When using two variables, we need to set up two equations. The first sentence describes a sum and the second
sentence describes a difference.

Figure 3.3.1

Figure y25
This leads to the following system:
3.3.2
Solve using the elimination method. To eliminate the variable multiply the first equation by and the second by .
⎧ ⇒×2
⎩⎨4x +5y = 7
8x +10y = 14
3x −2y = 11 ⇒ ×5 15x −10y = 55 x
{
Add the equations in the equivalent system and solve for .
y
Back substitute to find .
Answer:
3 −1
The largest integer is and the smaller integer is .

Exercise 3.3.1
1 20
An integer is less than twice that of another. If their sum is , find the integers.
 Answer
7 13
The two integers are and .

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3.3.1

www.youtube.com/v/LnzO1_J4X20

Next consider applications involving simple interest and money.

Example 3.3.1:
$12, 800 318
A total of was invested in two accounts. Part was invested in a CD at a % annual interest rate and part was
434$465
invested in a money market fund at a % annual interest rate. If the total simple interest for one year was , then
how much was invested in each account?
Solution
Begin by identifying two variables.
x 318 = 3.125 = 0.03125
Let represent the amount invested at % % .

y 434 = 4.75 0.0475

Let represent the amount invested at % % = .
The total amount in both accounts can be expressed as
x +y = 12, 800
$465
To set up a second equation, use the fact that the total interest was . Recall that the interest for one year is the
interest (I = prt = pr ⋅ 1 = p)
rate times the principal . Use this to add the interest in both accounts. Be sure r to use the decimal equivalents
for the interest rates given as percentages.
interest from the CD + interest from the fund = total interest
0.03125x + 0.0475y = 465
These two equations together form the following linear system:

{x +y = 12, 800
0.03125x +0.0475y = 465
x −0.03125
Eliminate by multiplying the first equation by .

Figure x
Next, add the resulting equations. Back substitute to find .
3.3.3

x +y Answer:
x +4000 x = 12, 800 = 12, 800 = 8, 800

$4, 000 434$8, 800 318

was invested at % and was invested at %.
 Example 3.3.3:
58 $4.20
A jar consisting of only nickels and dimes contains coins. If the total value is , how many of each coin is in the
jar?
Solution
n
Let represent the number of nickels in the jar.
d
Let represent the number of dimes in the jar.
The total number of coins in the jar can be expressed using the following equation:

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3.3.2

n+d = 58
$4.20
Next, use the value of each coin to determine the total value .
value of nickels + value of dimes = total value
0.05n + 0.10d = 4.20
This leads us to the following linear system:

{n+d = 58
0.05n+0.10d = 4.20
n
Here we will solve using the substitution method. In the first equation, we can solve for .

Figure 3.3.4
n = 58 −d d
Substitute into the second equation and solve for .
Now back substitute to find the number of nickels.
Answer:
32 26
There are nickels and dimes in the jar.

Exercise 3.3.2
40 $5.00
Joey has a jar full of coins consisting of only quarters and nickels. If the total value is , how many of each coin
does Joey have?

Answer
15 25
Joey has quarters and nickels.
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Mixture Problems
Mixture problems often include a percentage and some total amount. It is important to make a distinction between
these two 20 2
types of quantities. For example, if a problem states that a -ounce container is filled with a % saline (salt) solution,
then this means that the container is filled with a mixture of salt and water as follows:
Table 3.3.1
Percentage Amount
 Salt ounces ounces 2 = 0.02 0.02(20 )= 0.4

Water % ounces ounces 98 = 0.98 0.98(20 )= 19.6

In other words, we multiply the percentage times the total to get the amount of each part of the mixture.

Example 3.3.4:
1.8 3.2 35 2.2
A % saline solution is to be combined and mixed with a % saline solution to produce ounces of a % saline
solution. How much of each is needed?
Solution
x 1.8
Let represent the amount of % saline solution needed.
y 3.2
Let represent the amount of % saline solution needed.
35
The total amount of saline solution needed is ounces. This leads to one equation,

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3.3.3

x +y = 35

The second equation adds up the amount of salt in the correct percentages. The amount of salt is obtained by
multiplying x y
the percentage times the amount, where the variables and represent the amounts of the solutions. The amount
of salt 2.2 35 .022(35)
in the end solution is % of the ounces, or .
salt in 1.8% solution+salt in 3.2% solution = salt in the end solution
0.018x + 0.032y = 0.022(35)
The algebraic setup consists of both equations presented as a system:

{x +y = 35
0.018x +0.032y = 0.022(35)
Solve.

Figure x
Add the resulting equations together Back substitute to find .
3.3.5

x +y = 35 =35
x x
+10 = 25
Answer:
25 1.8 10 3.2
We need ounces of the % saline solution and ounces of the % saline solution.

Example 3.3.5:
80 48 25
An % antifreeze concentrate is to be mixed with water to produce a -liter mixture containing % antifreeze. How
much water and antifreeze concentrate is needed?
 Solution
x 80
Let represent the amount of % antifreeze concentrate needed.
y
Let represent the amount of water needed.
48
The total amount of the mixture must be liters.
x +y = 48
The second equation adds up the amount of antifreeze from each solution in the correct percentages. The
amount of 25 48 0.25(48)
antifreeze in the end result is % of liters, or .
antifreeze in 80% concentrate+antrifreeze in water = antifreeze in the end mixture 0.018x +
0.032y = 0.022(35)
Now we can form a system of two linear equations and two variables as follows:
x +y = 48 x +y = 48
{⇒{
0.80x = 12
=12
x 0.80
Use the second equation to find : = 15
0.80x = 0.25(48)
y
Back substitute to find .
= 12 0.80x x
x

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3.3.4

Answer: = 48 33 15
= 48 = 33 x +y 15 +y y

We need to mix liters of water with liters of antifreeze concentrate.

Exercise 3.3.3
100 12
A chemist wishes to create ml of a solution with % acid content. He uses two types of stock solutions, one with
30 10
% acid content and another with % acid content. How much of each does he need?

Answer
10 30 90 10
The chemist will need to mix ml of the % acid solution with ml of the % acid solution.
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Uniform Motion Problems (Distance Problems)

D = r ⋅t
Recall that the distance traveled is equal to the average rate times the time traveled at that rate, . These uniform
motion problems usually have a lot of data, so it helps to first organize that data in a chart and then set up a linear
 system. In this section, you are encouraged to use two variables.

Example 3.3.6:
4 875 50
An executive traveled a total of hours and miles by car and by plane. Driving to the airport by car, she
averaged 320
miles per hour. In the air, the plane averaged miles per hour. How long did it take her to drive to the
airport? Solution
We are asked to find the time it takes her to drive to the airport; this indicates that time is the unknown
quantity. x y
Let represent the time it took to drive to the airport. Let represent the time spent in the air.
Fill in the chart with the given information.

3.3.6 D = r ⋅t
Figure
Use the formula to fill in the unknown distances.
Distance traveled in the car: D = r ⋅t = 50 ⋅ x
Distance traveled in the air: D = r ⋅t = 320 ⋅ y

Figure 3.3.7
The distance column and the time column of the chart help us to set up the following linear system.

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3.3.5

Figure 3.3.8

{x +y = 4 ← total time traveled

50x +320y = 875← total distance traveled
Solve.
3.3.9 x
Figure
Now back substitute to find the time it took to drive to the airport:
Answer:
112
It took her hours to drive to the airport.

It is not always the case that time is the unknown quantity. Read the problem carefully and identify what you are
asked to find; this defines your variables.

Example 3.3.7:
240 2
Flying with the wind, a light aircraft traveled miles in hours. The aircraft then turned against the wind and
traveled 135 112
another miles in hours. Find the speed of the airplane and the speed of the wind.
Solution
Begin by identifying variables.
x
Let represent the speed of the airplane.
w
Let represent the speed of the wind.
Use the following chart to organize the data:

Figure 3.3.10
x +w x −w
With the wind, the airplane’s total speed is . Flying against the wind, the total speed is .

Figure 3.3.11

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3.3.6

D = r ⋅t
Use the rows of the chart along with the formula to construct a linear system that models this problem. Take
care to group the quantities that represent the rate in parentheses.

Figure 3.3.12
2 1.5
 If we divide both sides of the first equation by and both sides of the second equation by , then we obtain the
following equivalent system:
w
Here is lined up to eliminate.
Back substitute
x +w = 120 =
105+ 120 = 15
ww
Answer:
105 15
The speed of the airplane is miles per hour and the speed of the wind is miles per hour.

Exercise 3.3.4
27 2
A boat traveled miles downstream in hours. On the return trip, which was against the current, the boat was only
able 21 2
to travel miles in hours. What were the speeds of the boat and of the current?

Answer
12 1.5
The speed of the boat was miles per hour and the speed of the current was miles per
hour. www.youtube.com/v/EvdJQTFSUSs

Key Takeaways
Use two variables as a means to simplify the algebraic setup of applications where the relationship between
unknowns is unclear.
Carefully read the problem several times. If two variables are used, then remember that you need to set up two
linear equations in order to solve the problem.
Be sure to answer the question in sentence form and include the correct units for the answer.

Exercise 3.3.5
Set up a linear system and solve.
45 3
1. The sum of two integers is . The larger integer is less than twice the smaller. Find the two
integers. 126 18 5
2. The sum of two integers is . The larger is less than times the smaller. Find the two integers. 41
3 17
3. The sum of two integers is . When times the smaller is subtracted from the larger the result is . Find the two
integers.
46 2
4. The sum of two integers is . When the larger is subtracted from twice the smaller the result is . Find the two
integers.
11 3 3
5. The difference of two integers is . When twice the larger is subtracted from times the smaller, the result is .
Find the integers.
6 72
6. The difference of two integers is . The sum of twice the smaller and the larger is . Find the
integers. 3 2 15 3
7. The sum of times a larger integer and times a smaller is . When times the smaller integer is subtracted from
23
twice the larger, the result is . Find the integers.

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3.3.7
 3 10 4
8. The sum of twice a larger integer and times a smaller is . When the times the smaller integer is added to the
0
larger, the result is . Find the integers.
745
9. The difference of twice a smaller integer and times a larger is . When times the larger integer is subtracted
from 3 −5
times the smaller, the result is . Find the integers.
032
10. The difference of a smaller integer and twice a larger is . When times the larger integer is subtracted from
times −5
the smaller, the result is . Find the integers.
5 46
11. The length of a rectangle is more than twice its width. If the perimeter measures meters, then find the
dimensions of the rectangle.
2 62
12. The width of a rectangle is centimeters less than one-half its length. If the perimeter measures centimeters,
then find the dimensions of the rectangle.
136
13. A partitioned rectangular pen next to a river is constructed with a total feet of fencing (see illustration). If the
114
outer fencing measures feet, then find the dimensions of the pen.

Figure 168
3.3.13
14. A partitioned rectangular pen is constructed with a total feet of fencing (see illustration). If the
perimeter 138
measures feet, then find the dimensions of the pen.

Figure 3.3.14
(5, −9) (−3, 7) y = mx +b
17. A line passes through two points and . Use these points and to construct a system m b
of two linear equations in terms of and and solve it.
1
(2, 7) ( , −2)
2y = mx +b
18. A line passes through two points and . Use these points and to construct a system of m b
two linear equations in terms of and and solve it.
$5, 200 3 6
19. A principal is invested in two accounts, one earning % interest and another earning % interest. If the
 $210
total interest for the year is , then how much is invested in each account?
$2, 200 2 4
20. Harry’s savings is in two accounts. One account earns % annual interest and the other earns %. His
$69
total interest for the year is . How much does he have in each account?
$6, 500 234
21. Janine has two savings accounts totaling . One account earns % annual interest and the other
earns 312$211
%. If her total interest for the year is , then how much is in each account?
$24, 200 4.6
22. Margaret has her total savings of in two different CD accounts. One CD earns % interest and
3.4 $1, 007.60
another earns % interest. If her total interest for the year is , then how much does she have in each CD
account?

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3.3.8

23. Last year Mandy earned twice as much interest in her Money Market
fund as she did in her regular savings $246
account. The total interest from the two accounts was . How much interest did she earn in each
account? $120, 000 4
24. A small business invested in two accounts. The account earning % annual interest yielded twice as 3
much interest as the account earning % annual interest. How much was invested in each account?
$1, 000 2 $200 6
25. Sally earns per month plus a commission of % of sales. Jane earns per month plus % of her
sales. At what monthly sales figure will both Sally and Jane earn the same amount of pay?
$1, 200 $20
26. The cost of producing specialty book shelves includes an initial set-up fee of plus an additional per
$60
unit produced. Each shelf can be sold for per unit. Find the number of units that must be produced
and sold where the costs equal the revenue generated.
$12.35 71
27. Jim was able to purchase a pizza for with quarters and dimes. If he uses coins to buy the pizza, then
how many of each did he have?
$5 $10 $350 46
28. A cash register contains bills and bills with a total value of . If there are bills total, then how many
of each does the register contain?
24
29. Two families bought tickets for the home basketball game. One family ordered adult tickets and
children’s $36.00 3 2 $32.00
tickets for a total of . Another family ordered adult tickets and children’s tickets for a total of . How
much did each ticket cost?
42
30. Two friends found shirts and shorts on sale at a flea market. One bought shirts and shorts for a
total of $28.00 3 3 $30.75
. The other bought shirts and shorts for a total of . How much was each shirt and each pair of
shorts?
140 $1, 540
31. A community theater sold tickets to the evening musical for a total of . Each adult ticket was sold
$12 $8
for and each child ticket was sold for . How many adult tickets were sold?
$110 $16
32. The campus bookstore sells graphing calculators for and scientific calculators for . On the first day of
 50 $1, 646
classes calculators were sold for a total of . How many of each were sold?
70 $9.10
33. A jar consisting of only nickels and quarters contains coins. If the total value is , how many of each
coin are in the jar?
$9.20 68
34. Jill has worth of dimes and quarters. If there are coins in total, how many of each does she have?

Answer
16 29
1. The integers are and .
6 35
3. The integers are and .
25 36
5. The integers are and .
−3 7
7. The integers are and .
−5 −2
9. The integers are and .
17 6
11. Length: meters; width: meters
22 70
13. Width: feet; length: feet
15. 17. m = −2, b = 1
a = 3, b = 2 $3, 400 3 $1, 800 6
19. at % and at % $2, 200 234$4,

300 312
21. at % and at % $82 $164
23. Savings: ; Money Market: .
25. 35 36
$20, 000
27. quarters and dimes

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3.3.9

$7.00 $5.50
29. Adults each and children each.
105
31. adult tickets were sold.
42 28
33. The jar contains nickels and quarters.

Exercise 3.3.6
Set up a linear system and solve.
17 9 8 10
1. A % acid solution is to be mixed with a % acid solution to produce gallons of a % acid solution. How much of
each is needed?
28 1.5 1
2. A nurse wishes to obtain ounces of a % saline solution. How much of a % saline solution must she mix with
a 4.5
 % saline solution to achieve the desired mixture?
4 12
3. A customer ordered pounds of a mixed peanut product containing % cashews. The inventory consists of
only two 10 26
mixes containing % and % cashews. How much of each type must be mixed to fill the order?
10 25
4. One alcohol solution contains % alcohol and another contains % alcohol. How much of each should be
mixed 2 13.75
together to obtain gallons of a % alcohol solution?
60 24
5. How much cleaning fluid concentrate, with % alcohol content, must be mixed with water to obtain a -ounce
15
mixture with % alcohol content?
20 2 50
6. How many pounds of pure peanuts must be combined with a % peanut mix to produce pounds of a %
peanut mix?
50
7. A % fruit juice concentrate can be purchased wholesale. Best taste is achieved when water is mixed with the
15
concentrate in such a way as to obtain a % fruit juice mixture. How much water and concentrate is needed to
make 60
a -ounce fruit juice drink?
10 65 18
8. Pure sugar is to be mixed with a fruit salad containing % sugar to produce ounces of a salad containing %
sugar. How much pure sugar is required?
150 15 350 55
9. A custom aluminum alloy is created by mixing grams of a % aluminum alloy and grams of a % aluminum
alloy. What percentage of aluminum is in the resulting mixture?
500 12 300
10. A research assistant mixed milliliters of a solution that contained a % acid with milliliters of water. What
percentage of acid is in the resulting solution?

Answer
7 9 1 17
1. gallons of the % acid solution and gallon of the % acid solution
3.5 10 0.5 26
3. pounds of the % cashew mix and pounds of the % cashew mix
6
5. ounces of cleaning fluid concentrate
18 42
7. ounces of fruit juice concentrate and ounces of water
43
9. %

Exercise 3.3.7
Set up a linear system and solve.
432 8 52
1. The two legs of a -mile trip took hours. The average speed for the first leg of the trip was miles per hour and
60
the average speed for the second leg of the trip was miles per hour. How long did each leg of the
trip take? 265 55
2. Jerry took two buses on the -mile trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The first bus averaged miles per hour
50 5
and the second bus was able to average miles per hour. If the total trip took hours, then how long was spent
in each bus?
48
3. An executive was able to average miles per hour to the airport in her car and then board an airplane that
averaged 210 549 3
 miles per hour. The -mile business trip took hours. How long did it take her to drive to the airport? 1 15 6
4. Joe spends hour each morning exercising by jogging and then cycling for a total of miles. He is able to
average 18
miles per hour jogging and miles per hour cycling. How long does he spend jogging each morning?

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3.3.10

2.512
5. Swimming with the current Jack can swim miles in hour. Swimming back, against the same current, he can
only 2
swim miles in the same amount of time. How fast is the current?
180 112
6. A light aircraft flying with the wind can travel miles in hours. The aircraft can fly the same distance against 2
the wind in hours. Find the speed of the wind.
600 4 5
7. A light airplane flying with the wind can travel miles in hours. On the return trip, against the wind, it will
take hours. What are the speeds of the airplane and of the wind?
15 114
8. A boat can travel miles with the current downstream in hours. Returning upstream against the current, the
boat 8346
can only travel miles in the same amount of time. Find the speed of the current.
9. Mary jogged the trail from her car to the cabin at the rate of miles per hour. She then walked back to her car
at a rate 4 1
of miles per hour. If the entire trip took hour, then how long did it take her to walk back to her
car? 8
10. Two trains leave the station traveling in opposite directions. One train is miles per hour faster than the other
230
and in 212 12
hours they are miles apart. Determine the average speed of each train.
11. Two trains leave the station traveling in opposite directions. One train is miles per hour faster than the other
and in 3 300
hours they are miles apart. Determine the average speed of each train.
86
12. A jogger can sustain an average running rate of miles per hour to his destination and miles an hour on the
return 134
trip. Find the total distance the jogger ran if the total time running was hour.

Answer
62
1. The first leg of the trip took hours and the second leg took hours.
1
3. It took her hour to drive to the airport.
2

0.5
5. miles per hour.
135 15
7. Airplane: miles per hour; wind: miles per hour
3
9. hour
5

44 56
11. One train averaged miles per hour and the other averaged miles per hour.

Exercise 3.3.8
1. Compose a number or money problem of your own and share it on the discussion board.
2. Compose a mixture problem of your own and share it on the discussion board.
3. Compose a uniform motion problem of your own and share it on the discussion board.
Answer
1. Answer may vary
3. Answer may vary

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3.3.11