Nguyen Du High School, Grade 10 Advanced Mathematics

UNIT 1
Linear systems in three
variables

Activity

HOW MUCH?!

Nga: I plan to buy some jewelry for my mom’s birthday. Can

you suggest a jewelry store?
Lan: I think Wesley is a good choice. I bought 6 necklaces, 2
rings and 1 bracelet at a cost of 380 000 VND.
Hoa: Oh I knew this store! I spent 340 000 VND on 3 neck-
laces, 1 ring, and 2 bracelets.
Mai: Yeah, me too! Hoa and I went to the store together and I
paid 620 000 VND for a necklace, 4 rings, and 5 bracelets.
Nga: Hmm... How much does each cost?
Lan, Hoa, Mai: Well, we don’t know!

Let’s help Nga to determine the prices for a necklace, a ring, as well as a bracelet!

VOCABULARY
system equation coefficient
linear variable solution

1
 UNIT 1. LINEAR SYSTEMS IN THREE VARIABLES

1.1 What is a linear system in

three variables?
Let n, r, b be the prices of a necklace, a ring and a bracelet, respectively.
Since the cost of 6 necklaces, 2 rings and 1 bracelet is 380 000 VND, we obtain:

6n + 2r + b = 380 000. (1)

Also, the cost of 3 necklaces, 1 ring and 2 bracelets is 340 000 VND:

3n + r + 2b = 340 000. (2)

Similarly, the cost 620 000 VND of 1 necklace, 4 rings and 5 bracelets gives:

n + 4r + 5b = 620 000. (3)

Each of the equations (1), (2), (3) is called a linear equation in three variables n, r, b. The equations
(1),(2), and (3) together create a system of linear equations in three variables n, r, b:

 6n + 2r + b = 380 000

3n + r + 2b = 340 000

n + 4r + 5b = 620 000


• A linear equation in three variables x, y, z is represented as:

(∗) ax + by + cz = d,

where x, y, z are the unknown variables, the given real numbers a, b, c, d are called coefficients.
Note that a, b, c are never simultaneously equal to 0.
An ordered triple (x◦ , y◦ , z◦ ) satisfied the equation (∗) is called a solution to the equation (∗).
• A system of three linear equations in three variables x, y, z is represented as:

 a1 x + b1 y + c1 z = d1

(∗∗) a2 x + b2 y + c2 z = d2

a3 x + b3 y + c3 z = d3 ,


where x, y, z are the unknown variables, the given real numbers ai , bi , ci , di (i = 1, 2, 3) are
called coefficients. Note that ai , bi , ci are never simultaneously equal to 0, (i = 1, 2, 3).
An ordered triple (x◦ , y◦ , z◦ ) satisfied the three linear equations in (∗∗) simultaneously is called
a solution to the system (∗∗).
Solving a system of three linear equations in three variables means finding all solutions of the
system.

Frequently, a system of three linear equations in three variables is called a linear system in three
variables for short.

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 Nguyen Du High School, Grade 10 Advanced Mathematics

Example 1.

Given the following systems, consider whether each of them is a linear system in three variables
or not. After that, verify if each of the ordered triples (1, 2, 2) and (−1, 2, 3) is a solution to the
system. 
2
 2x − 3y + 4z = 4
  3x − 2y + 4z = 6

(a) −x + 2y + z = 8 (b) 4x − 5y + 2z = −3
 
3x + 4y − z = 2. x + 3y − z = −1.
 

(a) This is a linear system in three variables x, y, z.

To check if the ordered triple (1, 2, 2) is the solution to (a), substitute 1, 2, 2 for x, y, z
respectively:
2 − 6 + 8 = 4 (True)

−1 + 4 + 2 = 8 (False)

Hence, the ordered triple (1, 2, 2) is not a solution to the system (a).
Similarly, substitute -1, 2, 3 for x, y, z, respectively:

−2 − 6 + 12 = 4 (True)

1 + 4 + 3 = 8 (True)

−3 + 8 − 3 = 2 (True)

Therefore, the ordered triple (−1, 2, 3) is a solution to the system (a).

(b) This is not a linear system since there exists y2 .

1.2 The Gaussian Elimination method

Any system of linear equations with three variable x, y, z can be converted into a triangular form.
For example,

is a linear system in triangular form.

Gaussian Elimination method can be used to solve a system of three linear

equations in three variables.
Step 1: Convert the system into an equivalent triangular form.
Step 2: Find solution to the system by solving for one of the variables, then
substitute to solve for the remaining variables.

3
UNIT 1. LINEAR SYSTEMS IN THREE VARIABLES

In the How Much?! problem, we obtain:


 6n + 2r + b = 380 000

3n + r + 2b = 340 000

n + 4r + 5b = 620 000


where n, r, b is respectively the price of a necklace, a ring, and a

bracelet.

Example 2.

Solve by Gaussian Elimination method:


 6n + 2r + b = 380 000
 (1)
3n + r + 2b = 340 000 (2)

n + 4r + 5b = 620 000 (3)


Step 1. Convert the system into a triangular form.

• Multiply the equation (2) by 2 and multiply the equation (3) by 6:

 6n + 2r + b
 = 380 000 (1.1)
6n + 2r + 4b = 680 000 (2.1)

6n + 24r + 30b = 3 720 000 (3.1)


• Subtract the equation (1.1) from (2.1) and subtract the equation (2.1) from (3.1):

 3b
 = 300 000 (1.2)
22r + 26b = 3 040 000 (2.2)

n + 4r + 5b = 620 000 (3.2)


This is in triangular form.

Step 2. Find solution to the system.
From (1.2), we obtain b = 100 000.
Next, we substitute b = 100 000 into the equation (2.2) and solve for r

22r + 26 × 100 000 = 3 040 000

22r = 440 000
r = 20 000

Finally, substitute b = 100 000 and r = 20 000 into the equation (3.2), then solve for n

n + 4 × 20 000 + 5 × 100 000 = 620 000

n = 40 000

Therefore, the solution is the ordered triple (40 000, 20 000, 100 000), which means the price
of a necklace is 40 000 VND, of a ring is 20 000 VND, and of a bracelet is 100 000 VND.

4
 Nguyen Du High School, Grade 10 Advanced Mathematics

Note
A linear system in three variables might have only one solution, no solution, or infinitely many
solutions.

1.3 Solving linear system with three

variables using a calculator
Instructions for Casio fx-580-vn, fx-570-vn, fx-570-ex.

Casio fx-570-vn,fx-570-ex Casio fx-580-vn

Step 1: Press these buttons successively: Step 1: Press these buttons successively:
      
MODE
  
3

5 MENU
  
1
3

9

Step 2: Press the coefficients of each equation. Step 2: Press the coefficients of each equation.

 
Step 3: Press =
to find the solution. Step 3: Press =
to find the solution.

Example 3.

Use a calculator
 to solve following systems:
 

 3x − y + z=3  2x + 2y − z = −1
  x − 2y + 3z = 9

(a) x−y+z = 2 (b) x + 4y + z = −8 (c) 2x + 3y − z = 4
  
y + 2z = 1 x − 2y − 2z = 7 x + 5y − 4z = 2
  

1 −2 5
Å ã
(a) The solution is , , .
2 3 6
(b) There are infinitely many solutions.
(c) There is no solution.

5
UNIT 1. LINEAR SYSTEMS IN THREE VARIABLES

Exercises
1. Which one of the followings is a linear system in three variables? Verify if each of the ordered
triples (−1, 2, 1) and (−1.5, 0.25, −1.25) is a solution to the linear system.
−1
  
 3x − 2y + z
 = −6  5x − 2y + 3z = 4
 
 2x − 4y − 3z =
 4
(a) −2x + y + 3z = 7 (b) 3x + 2yz − z = 2

5

  (c) 3x + 8y − 4z =
4x − y + 7z = 1, x − 3y + 2z = −1,
 
 2
 2x + 3y − 2z = 1 ;



4
2. Solve these systems by Gaussian Elimination method, then use a calculator to verify the results:
  
 3x − y + z = 4
  −x + 5y + z = −4
  x + 2z
 = 5
(a) x−y+z = 2 (c) x+y = 3 (e) 2x − y + z = −1
  
y + 2z = 8, y + 2z = 3, 3x + 2y = −7,
  
  
 x + 2y − z = 1
  2x − 4y + 6z = 0
  x − 2y + 3z
 = 1
(b) x + 4y + z = 2 (d) x − 2y + 3z = 1 (f) −2x + 4y − 6z = −2
  
x − 2y − 3z = −1, x+z = −1, x+y+z = 2.
  

3. Find the equation in general form y = ax2 + bx + c (a 6= 0) of a parabola given that:

(a) The parabola has the line of symmetry x = 1 and (P) passes through two points A(1, −4) and
B(2, −3). Å ã
1 3
(b) The parabola has the vertex I , and passes through the point M(−1, 3).
2 4

4. Long, Minh, and Nam go to a cafeteria. Long pays 90 000 VND for a bottle of apple juice, a banana,
and two sandwiches. Minh spends 140 000 VND for a bottle of apple juice, two bananas, and three
sandwiches. Nam buys a bottle of apple juice and three sandwiches at a cost of 50 000 VND. Let
l, m, n be the price of a bottle of apple juice, a banana, and a sandwich, respectively.
(a) Write all the equations in l, m, n.
(b) Find the values of l, m, n.

5. The community college theater department sold three kinds of tickets to its latest play production.
An adult ticket was 15 dollars, a student ticket was 10 dollars, and a child ticket was 8 dollars. The
theater department was thrilled to have sold 250 tickets and brought in 2825 dollars in one night. The
number of student tickets sold is twice the number of adult tickets sold. How many of each type did the
department sell?

6
 Nguyen Du High School, Grade 10 Advanced Mathematics

UNIT 2
Applications of linear systems
of equations

VOCABULARY
variable constraint verify interpret

1
 UNIT 2. APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS

2.1 Steps to solve word problems applying

linear systems in three variables
A word problem requires you to find an answer from the facts of the problem. Some word problems
require the use of linear systems of equations. Here are steps to solve word problems applying linear
systems in three variable:

Step 1. Build a linear system:

◦ Assign variables to represent the unknown quantities.
◦ Find all constraints for the variables.
◦ Write linear equations based on the information given.
Step 2. Solve the linear system.
Step 3. Verify and interpret the solutions in the context of the real-world problem.

Example 1.

Huy and his friends bought pastels, brushes, and canvases at an art supply store. The table
shows the number of each item bought and the amount each person spent. Identify the price of
each item.
Pastels Brushes Canvases Total Spent (thousands Vnd)
Huy 3 4 5 440
Lam 2 5 7 460
Khoi 4 3 6 480

Solution
Let p, b, c (thousand(s) Vnd) be the price of a pastel, a brush, a canvas, respectively (p, b, c > 0).
From the first row of the table: 3p + 4b + 5c = 440.
From the second row of the table: 2p + 5b + 7c = 460.
From the third row of the table: 4p + 3b + 6c = 480.
Hence, we obtain the system of three-variable linear equations as follow



 3p + 4b + 5c = 440

2p + 5b + 7c = 460



4p + 3b + 6c = 480

By using a calculator, the solution for (p; b; c) is (60; 40; 20).

Therefore, a pastel costs 60 thousands Vnd, a brush costs 40 thousands Vnd, and a canvas costs
20 thousands Vnd.

2
 Nguyen Du High School, Grade 10 Advanced Mathematics

2.2 Application in Physics, Chemistry, and

Biology
2.2.1 Solving electrical circuit problems

Example 2.

In an electric circuit, the resistors R1 of

6Ω, R2 of 4Ω, and R3 of 3Ω are connected
as below. What are the values of the
currents I1 , I2 , and I3 ?

Solution
Since the total of currents flowing into B is equal to the total of currents flowing out of B,

I1 = I2 + I3 .

The voltage between A and B can be represented as either UBC = I2 R2 or UBC = I3 R3 , so

4I2 = 3I3 .

The voltage between A and C can be represented as UAC = I1 R1 + I3 R3 .

It is given that UAC = 6, hence,
6I1 + 3I3 = 6.

Therefore, the system of linear equations is:


 I −I −I =0
1 2 3


4I2 − 3I3 =0



2I + I
1 3 = 2.

7 1 4
Solving by using a calculator, the current through each resistor is I1 = A, I2 = A, I3 = A.
9 3 9

3
 UNIT 2. APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS

2.2.2 Balancing chemical equations

Example 3.

Balancing the chemical equation for the combustion of propane:

C3 H8 + O2 → CO2 + H2 O

Solution
Let n1 , n2 , n3 , n4 be positive integers such that:

n1 C3 H8 + n2 O2 → n3 CO2 + n4 H2 O

Balancing the number of atoms of Hydrogen on both sides gives 8n1 = 2n4 .
Balancing the number of atoms of Carbon on both sides gives 3n1 = n3 .
Balancing the number of atoms of Oxygen on both sides gives 2n2 = 2n3 + n4 .
We obtain the following linear system:

 8n = 2n4
 1


3n1 = n3



2n = 2n + n
 2 3 4
1
n1 = n4


4



⇔ n3 = 3n1


 2n3 + n4
n2 =

2
The system has infinitely many solutions.
Since n1 , n2 , n3 , n4 are positive integers, let’s choose n4 = 4, then

1
n1 = · 4 = 1


4



⇔ n3 = 3 · 1 = 3
2·3+4



n2 =
 = 5.
2
Hence, the chemical equation is C3 H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2 O.

4
 Nguyen Du High School, Grade 10 Advanced Mathematics

2.2.3 Solving cell division problems

Example 4.

Three cells A, B, and C after a number of mitotic divisions made 88 daughter cells. Daughter
cells produced by cell B are twice as many as those of cell A. The number of mitotic divisions
of cell C is 2 more than that of cell B. Given that a cell after one mitotic division creates two
daughter cells, identify each cell’s number of mitotic divisions.

Let a, b, c respectively represent the number of divisions of cells A, B, C (a, b, c > 0).
The total number 80 of daughter cells gives 2a + 2b + 2c = 80.
Cell B created twice as many daughters as cell A gives 2b = 2 × 2a .
The number of mitotic divisions of cell C being 2 more than that of cell B means c = b + 2.
We obtain the system



 2a + 2b + 2c = 88

2b = 2 × 2a



c = b+2



 2a + 2b + 2c = 88

⇔ −2 × 2a + 2b = 0


−4 × 2b + 2c = 0.


Denote x = 2a , y = 2b , z = 2c , the system becomes linear in three variables x, y, z:




 x + y + z = 88

2x + y =0


−4y + z = 0.


Solving by using a calculator, the solution for (a; b; c) is (8; 16; 64).
Therefore,
 

 2 a =8 
 a =3

 

2b = 16 ⇔ b =4

 

2c = 64
 
c = 6.

Hence, the number of mitotic divisions of cells A, B, C is 3,4,6.

5
 UNIT 2. APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS

2.3 Application in Economics

Example 5.

John won 86 000 dollars in the local lottery. He decided to invest the whole prize in three
different investment funds.
One dollar a REIT pays 6 percent annual simple interest. The others, a C.D and a Bond fund
pays 2 percent and 3 percent respectively. The total in annual simple interest from the three
investments was 3900 dollars. The annual simple interest earned from the REIT was 900 dollars
less than three times the amount earned from the Bond fund and C.D. Find how much was
invested in each fund.

Let r, c, b be the amount invested in the REIT, C.D, and Bond fund, respectively, (r, c, b > 0).
The whole amount 86 000 dollars means

r + c + b = 86000.

The simple interests of 6, 2, 3 respectively, and the total 3900 dollars in annual simple interest
gives
0.06r + 0.02c + 0.03b = 3900.

The annual simple interest earned from the REIT was 900 dollars less than three times the
amount earned from the Bond fund and C.D, which can be described mathematically as

0.06r = 3(0.02c + 0.03b) − 900.

The following system of linear equations is obtained:




 r+c+b = 86000

0.06r + 0.02c + 0.03b = 3900


0.06r − 0.06c − 0.09b

= −900

By using a calculator, the solution for (r, c, b) is (38 000; 45 000; 3 000).
Therefore, John invested 38 000 dollars in REIT, 45 000 dollars in CD, and 3000 dollars in
Bond fund.

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 Nguyen Du High School, Grade 10 Advanced Mathematics

Exercises
1. Costumes are needed for the school play. Boy’s costumes require 8 yards of fabric, 5 yards of ribbon,
and 4 packets of sequins. Girl’s costumes require 6 yards of fabric, 9 yards of ribbon, and 5 packets of
sequins. Fabric costs 6 dollars per yard, ribbon costs 5 dollars per yard, and sequins cost 5 dollars per
packet. Find the cost of each costume.

2. Given an electric circuit, find the currents of each resistor.

3. Balance the chemical equation: Al + Fe3 N2 → AlN + Fe.

4. To study the effect of a mixture of three types of vitamins, a biologist provides each rabbit in a
laboratory exactly 15 mg thiamine (B1), 40 mg riboflavin (B2) and 10 mg niacin (B3) a day. There are
three types of foods with the amount of vitamins below:
The amount of vitamins (milligram) in 100g food
Types of vitamins
Type I Type II Type III
Thiamine (B1) 3 2 2
Riboflavin (B2) 7 5 7
Niacin (B3) 2 2 1

How much gram of each type of foods should a rabbit be provided a day?

5. The Softflow Yogurt Company makes three yogurt blends: LimeOrange, using 2 quarts of lime
yogurt and 2 quarts of orange yogurt per gallon; LimeLemon, using 3 quarts of lime yogurt and 1 quart
of lemon yogurt per gallon; and OrangeLemon, using 3 quarts of orange yogurt and 1 quart of lemon
yogurt per gallon. Each day day company has 800 quarts of lime yogurt, 650 quarts of orange yogurt,
and 350 quarts of lemon yogurt available. How many gallons of each blend should the company make
each day if it wants to use up the supplies?

7
 Nguyen Du High School, Grade 10 Advanced Mathematics

UNIT 3
Practice 1. Linear Systems

1. Which one of the followings is a linear system in three variables? Verify if each of the ordered
triples (1; 1; 2) and (−2; 0; 3) is a solution to the linear system.
 
 2x − 3y + 5z = 9  5x − 3x2 + x3 = −7
 1

 


(a) −y + z =1 (c) 6x1 + 3x2 + 5x3 =3

 

4x − 9y

= −5

 13x − 15x2 + 21x3 = 37
  1


 ab − 3b + 7c = −1 

 12t − 3u + v2 = 0
 
(b) 3a + bc + c =0 (d) 23t + 3u − 9v = 11

 

a − 9b + ac = 8
 
25t + v =8

2. Solve each of the following systems by Gaussian Elimination method, then use a calculator to verify
the results.
 


 2x + 5y + 2z = −38 

 x + 2y + z = 3
 
(a) 3x − 2y + 4z = 17 (c) 2x − y + z = 8

 

−6x + y − 7z = −12
 3x − 4y + z = 18

 


 2x − y + z =5 

 3x − 9z = 33
 
(b) x + y − z =2 (d) 7x − 4y − z = −15

 

3x − 3y + 3z = 8
 4x + 6y + 5z = −6


3. Find the equation of the parabola (P) : y = ax2 + bx + c if:

(a) The parabola intersects the horizontal axis at x = −2 and x = 1 and passes through the point
M(−1; 3).
(b) The parabola intersects the vertical axis at y = −2 and the minimum value of it is 4 at x = 2.

4. When a circular pizza is cut using n straight cuts, the maximum number of pieces that can be made

1
UNIT 3. PRACTICE 1. LINEAR SYSTEMS

is given by P(n) = an2 + bn + c where a, b, c are constants.

For example, with two cuts we can make a maximum of 4 pieces, so

P(2) = 4a + 2b + c = 4.

(a) Write a system of three linear equations involving a, b, c.

(b) Solve the system and determine P(n).
(c) Hence find the maximum number of pieces that can be made using 12 cuts.

5. You throw a ball straight up from a rooftop. The ball misses the rooftop on its way down and
eventually strikes the ground. A mathematical model can be used to describe the relationship for the
ball’s height above the ground, after seconds. Consider the following data:
x seconds after the ball is thrown y feet height above the ground
1 224
2 176
3 104

(a) Find the quadratic function y = ax2 + bx + c whose graph passes through the given points.
(b) Use the function in part (a) to find the value for y when x = 5. Describe what it means.

6. Three sets of triathlon teams are competing in separate triathlon legs, a swim, a bike, and a run, for
their training. The speeds of the participants and the total distance covered by the team are in the table
below.
Team Swim Bike Run Total Distance Covered by Team
1 2 mph 17 mph 7.5 mph 47.75 miles
2 1.5 mph 20 mph 7 mph 52.375 miles
3 1.25 mph 18 mph 8 mph 49.5625 miles
How much time is each leg of the training race?

7.

In the following triangle, the degree measures of the three interior angles
and two of the exterior angles are represented with variables. Find the
measure of each interior angle.

2
 Nguyen Du High School, Grade 10 Advanced Mathematics

8. The bar graph compares the body composition of a 160-pound adult male and a 135-pound adult

female.
(a) This exercise refers to the body composition of a 135-pound adult female, shown by the graph.
Ninety-five percent of her total body weight consists of water, fat, and protein. The difference
between the percentage of body weight consisting of water and fat is 35 percent. The difference
between the percentage of body weight consisting of fat and protein is 9 percent. Find the
percentage of total body weight consisting of water, of fat, and of protein.
(b) This exercise refers to the body composition of a 160- pound adult male, shown by the graph.
Ninety-four percent of his total body weight consists of water, fat, and protein. The difference
between the percentage of body weight consisting of water and fat is 47 percent. The difference
between the percentage of body weight consisting of protein and fat is 2 percent. Find the
percentage of total body weight consisting of water, of fat, and of protein.

9.

Given an electric circuit below, the values of resistors are

R = R1 = R2 = 5Ω. Find the currents I1 , I2 , I.

10. The sum of three numbers is 16. The sum of twice the first number, 3 times the second number,
and 4 times the third number is 46. The difference between 5 times the first number and the second
number is 31. Find the three numbers.

11. A person invested 6700 dollars for one year, part at 8 percent, part at 10 percent, and the remainder
at 12 percent. The total annual income from these investments was 716 dollars. The amount of money
invested at 12 percent was 300 dollars more than the amount invested at 8 percent and 10 percent
combined. Find the amount invested at each rate.

12. Three neighbors make a fruit salad for a summer picnic. One person uses three pounds of
strawberries plus five pounds of grapes plus one pound of melon at a cost of 20 dollars. A second
person uses three pounds of strawberries plus two pounds of grapes plus two pounds of melon at a cost
of 21 dollars. The last neighbor uses four pounds of strawberries plus three pounds of grapes plus three
pounds of melon at a cost of 30 dollars. How much does each fruit cost?

3
UNIT 3. PRACTICE 1. LINEAR SYSTEMS

13. A football team scored a total of 50 points in one game. They scored 14 times. The scoring was
made up of touchdowns (6 points), PATs (1 point each), and field goals (3 points each). They had three
more touchdowns than field goals. How many of each type of score did the team have?

14. A boat traveled 45 miles downstream and back. The trip downstream took 3 hours, while the trip
back took 5 hours. Find the average speed of the boat in still water, along with the speed of the current.

15. A chemist has three different acid solutions. The first acid solution contains 10 percent acid,
the second contains 40 percent acid and the third 60 percent acid. The chemist wants to use all three
solutions to obtain a mixture of 100 liters containing 45 percent acid. The supply of 40 percent solution
must be used. How many liters of each solution should be used?

16. Three types of cells A, B,C experienced 3,4,7 mitotic divisions and the total number of daughter
cells was 480. Before mitosis, the number of cells B was the sum of those A and C. After mitosis, the
sum of daughter cells of A and C was five times as many as B. Find the number of parent cells of each
type.

17. Mariacopa’Success scholarship fund receives a gift of 200 000 dollars. The money is invested
in stocks, bonds, and CDs. CDs pay 3.1 percent interest, bonds pay 4.25 percent interest, and stocks
pay 8.2 percent interest. Maricopa Success invests 25 000 dollars more in bonds than in stocks. If the
annual income from the investment is 9925 dollars, how much was invested in each account?