Applications to the system of linear equations

Example 1

Ali and Sara are shopping for chocolate bars.

• Ali said to sara, “If I add half my amount to yours, it will be enough to buy
two chocolate bars.”
• Sara asks, “If I add half my amount to yours, how many can we buy?” Ali
replies, “One chocolate bar.”
How much money did Ali have?

Solution:
Let
𝒂 = Amount of Ali he has
𝒔 = Amount of Sara she has
𝒄 = Cost of chocolate
Then the system of equations can be written as
𝟏
𝒂 + 𝒔 = 𝟐𝒄 − − − − − (𝟏)
{ 𝟐
𝟏
𝒂 + 𝒔 = 𝒄 − − − − − −(𝟐)
𝟐
Multiplying equation (1) by “𝟐” both sides and similarly Multiplying equation (1)
by “𝟐” both sides, we get
𝒂 + 𝟐𝒔 = 𝟒𝒄 − − − −(𝟑)
{
𝟐𝒂 + 𝒔 = 𝟐𝒄 − − − −(𝟒)
The augmented matrix of the above system of equations is

1 2 4𝑐
[ ]
2 1 2𝑐
1 2 4𝑐
[ ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅2 − 2𝑅1
0 −3 −6𝑐
 1 2 4𝑐 1
[ ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ − 𝑅2
0 1 2𝑐 3

1 0 0
[ ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅1 − 2𝑅2
0 1 2𝑐

Hence, the solution of the given system is (𝒂, 𝒔) = (𝟎, 𝟐𝒄).

It means Ali has no amount.

Example 2

Three Alto, two Suzuki, and four City can be rented for $ 𝟏𝟎𝟔 per day. At the
same rates two Alto, four Suzuki, and three City cost $ 𝟏𝟎𝟕 per day, whereas four
Alto, three Suzuki, and two City cost $ 𝟏𝟎𝟐 per day. Find the rental rates for all
three kinds of cars?

Solution:

Let
𝒂 = Rental rate of Alto Car per day
𝒔 = Rental rate of Suzuki Car per day
𝒄 = Rental rate of City Car per day
Then, we can form the system of equations as
𝟑𝐚 + 𝟐𝐬 + 𝟒𝐜 = 𝟏𝟎𝟔
𝟐𝐚 + 𝟒𝐬 + 𝟑𝐜 = 𝟏𝟎𝟕
𝟒𝐚 + 𝟑𝐬 + 𝟐𝐜 = 𝟏𝟎𝟐
The augmented matrix of the above system is

𝟑 𝟐 𝟒 : 𝟏𝟎𝟔
[𝟐 𝟒 𝟑 : 𝟏𝟎𝟕 ]
𝟒 𝟑 𝟐 : 𝟏𝟎𝟐

1 −2 1 : −1
[2 4 3 : 107 ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅1 − 𝑅2
4 3 2 : 102
 1 −2 1 : −1
[0 8 1 : 109 ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅2 − 2𝑅1
4 3 2 : 102
1 −2 1 : −1
[0 8 1 : 109 ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅3 − 4𝑅1
0 11 −2 : 106
1 −2 1 : −1
[0 −3 3 :3 ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅2 − 𝑅3
0 11 −2 : 106
1 −2 1 : −1
1
[0 1 −1 : −1 ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ − 𝑅3
3
0 11 −2 : 106
1 −2 1 : −1
[0 1 −1 : −1 ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅3 − 11𝑅2
0 0 9 : 95
1 0 −1 : −3
[0 1 −1 : −1 ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅1 + 2𝑅2
0 0 9 : 117

1 0 −1 : −3
1
[0 1 −1 : −1 ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅3
9
0 0 1 : 13
1 0 0 : 10
[0 1 −1 : −1 ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅1 + 𝑅3
0 0 1 : 13
1 0 0 : 10
[0 1 0 : 12 ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅2 + 𝑅3
0 0 1 : 13

Hence, the rental rates for Alto, Suzuki, and City cars are
• Rental rate of Alto Car per day =$𝟏𝟎
• Rental rate of Suzuki Car per day =$𝟏𝟐
• Rental rate of City Car per day =$𝟏𝟑.
Example 3

A restaurant owner plans to use 𝒙 tables seating 𝟒 customers, 𝒚 tables seating 𝟔

customers and 𝒛 tables seating 𝟖 customers, for a total 𝟐𝟎 tables. When fully
occupied, the tables seat 𝟏𝟎𝟖 customers. If only half of the 𝒙 tables, half of the 𝒚
tables and one-fourth of the 𝒛 tables are used, each fully occupied, then 𝟒𝟔
customers will be seated. Find 𝒙, 𝒚, and 𝒛.

Solution:

Let us consider
• 𝒙 denotes the number of tables seating 𝟒 customers each
• 𝒚 denotes the number of tables seating 𝟔 customers each
• 𝒛 denotes the number of tables seating 𝟖 customers each

From the given information, we can write the system of equations as:
The equation for total number of tables is

𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 20

The equation for total number of customers is

4𝑥 + 6𝑦 + 8𝑧 = 108

The equation for half of the 𝒙 tables, half of the 𝒚 tables and one-fourth of the 𝒛
tables are being used is
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
4 ( ) + 6 ( ) + 8 ( ) = 46
2 2 4

Simplifying the system, we have

𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 20
{2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 54
2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 46
 .

By solving the system, we get: 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟎, 𝒚 = 𝟔 and 𝒛 = 𝟒.

Hence

(𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛) = (𝟏𝟎, 𝟔, 𝟒)

Example 4

Suppose I have 𝟑𝟐 bills in my wallet, in the denominations (values) of US $ 𝟏, $ 𝟓

and $ 𝟏𝟎, worth $ 𝟏𝟎𝟎 in total. How many do I have of each denomination?

Solution:

Let
• 𝒙 = No. of $ 𝟏 bills,
• 𝒚 = No. of $ 𝟓 bills,
• 𝒛 = No. of $ 𝟏𝟎 bills.

Then the system of equations will become

𝒙 + 𝒚 + 𝒛 = 𝟑𝟐 − −−→ (𝟏)
{
𝒙 + 𝟓𝒚 + 𝟏𝟎𝒛 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 − −→ (𝟐)
The augmented matrix of the above given system is

1 1 1 ∶ 32
[ ]
1 5 10 ∶ 100
1 1 1 ∶ 32
[ ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅2 − 𝑅1
0 4 9 ∶ 68
1 1 1 ∶ 32 1
[0 1 9
∶ 17 ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅1
4
4
 5
1 0 − ∶ 15
4
[ 9 ] ~~~~~~~~~~~ 𝑅1 − 𝑅2
0 1 ∶ 17
4

Here 𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛 should be positive integers. Now, by using back substitution, we get

𝟗
𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝒚 + 𝒛 = 𝟏𝟕 − − − − − (𝟑)
{ 𝟒
𝟓
𝟏𝒙 + 𝟎𝒚 − 𝒛 = 𝟏𝟓 − − − − − (𝟒)
𝟒
Since the given system is under-determined system, therefore, let
𝒛 = 𝒕 − − − − − (𝟓)
Then equation (𝟑) will give the value of 𝑦 is
𝟗
𝒚 = 𝟏𝟕 − 𝒕 − − − − − (𝟔)
𝟒
By putting values of equation (𝟓) and (𝟔) in equation (𝟒), we get the value of 𝒙 is
𝟓
𝒙 = 𝟏𝟓 + 𝒕 − − − − − (𝟔)
𝟒
Since the variables 𝒙, 𝒚 and 𝒛 represents the denominations of the bills, that
cannot be negative. Therefore, it must be positive. This implies that the value of 𝒕
would be 𝒕 = 𝟒, 𝟖, 𝟏𝟐, 𝟏𝟔 … … …
For the given situation, put 𝒕 = 𝟒, in equation (𝟓), (𝟔) and (𝟕) to get the values of
𝒙, 𝒚 and 𝒛. That is,
𝒛=𝒕=𝟒
𝟗
𝒚 = 𝟏𝟕 − (𝟒) = 𝟖
𝟒
𝟓
𝒙 = 𝟏𝟓 + (𝟒) = 𝟐𝟎
𝟒
So, I have
• 𝟐𝟎 bills of amount $ 𝟏
• 𝟖 bills of amount $ 𝟓
• 𝟒 bills of amount $ 𝟏𝟎.
Example 5
Ali is getting some flowers for his office. Being of a precise analytical mind, he
plans to spend exactly $ 𝟐𝟒 on a bunch of exactly two dozen flowers. At the flower
market they have lilies ($ 𝟑 each), roses ($ 𝟐 each), and daisies ($ 𝟎. 𝟓𝟎 each).
Ali loves lilies, what is he to do?

Solution:

Let
• 𝒙 = No. of Lilies Ali buys,
• 𝒚 = No. of Roses Ali buys,
• 𝒛 = No. of Daisies Ali buys.

Then the system of equations will become

𝟑𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚 + 𝟎. 𝟓𝒛 = 𝟐𝟒 − − − −(𝟏)
{
𝒙 + 𝒚 + 𝒛 = 𝟐𝟒 − − − − − − − (𝟐)
We can simplify equation (𝟏) by multiplying “𝟐” both sides, and the system
becomes
𝟔𝒙 + 𝟒𝒚 + 𝒛 = 𝟒𝟖 − − − − − −(𝟑)
{
𝒙 + 𝒚 + 𝒛 = 𝟐𝟒 − − − − − − − (𝟒)
The augmented matrix of the above given system is
𝟔 𝟒 𝟏 : 𝟒𝟖
[ ]
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 : 𝟐𝟒

.
.
.
Solve it by yourself

Answer:

𝟑 𝟓
(𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛) = ( 𝒕 − 𝟐𝟒 , 𝟒𝟖 − 𝒕 , 𝒕)
𝟐 𝟐
Example 6

In the downtown section of a certain

city, two sets of one-way streets
intersect as shown in Figure below. The
average hourly volume of traffic
entering and leaving this section during
rush hour is given in the diagram. At
each intersection, the number of
automobiles entering must be the same
as the number leaving.

(a) Determine the amount of traffic

between each of the four
intersections.
(b) The amount of traffic between intersections C and D averages 200
automobiles. Then find the amount of traffic for other intersections.

Solution:
From the figure, we have four (𝟒) intersections 𝑨, 𝑩, 𝑪 and 𝑫.
Intersection Automobiles Entering Automobiles Leaving
at intersection at intersection
𝑨 𝑥1 + 450 𝑥2 + 610
𝑩 𝑥2 + 520 𝑥3 + 480
𝑪 𝑥3 + 390 𝑥4 + 600
𝑫 𝑥4 + 640 𝑥1 + 310

Since given that, at each intersection, the number of automobiles entering must
be the same as the number leaving. Therefore
Intersection A: 𝑥1 + 450 = 𝑥2 + 610

Intersection B: 𝑥2 + 520 = 𝑥3 + 480

Intersection C: 𝑥3 + 390 = 𝑥4 + 600

Intersection D: 𝑥4 + 640 = 𝑥1 + 310

Now, rearranging the equations to convert it into standard form, we have

Intersection A: 𝑥1 − 𝑥2 = 610 − 450 ⟹ 𝒙𝟏 − 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎

Intersection B: 𝑥2 − 𝑥3 = 480 − 520 ⟹ 𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟑 = −𝟒𝟎

Intersection C: 𝑥3 − 𝑥4 = 600 − 390 ⟹ 𝒙𝟑 − 𝒙𝟒 = 𝟐𝟏𝟎

Intersection D: 𝑥4 − 𝑥1 = 310 − 640 ⟹ 𝑥4 − 𝑥1 = −330

Multiplying the equation of Intersection 𝑫 by (−𝟏), we get 𝒙𝟏 − 𝒙𝟒 = 𝟑𝟑𝟎

By simplifying, we get the system of equations given as

Intersection A: 𝒙𝟏 − 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎 − − − − − (𝟏)

Intersection B: 𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟑 = −𝟒𝟎 − − − − − (𝟐)

Intersection C: 𝒙𝟑 − 𝒙𝟒 = 𝟐𝟏𝟎 − − − − − (𝟑)

Intersection D: 𝒙𝟏 − 𝒙𝟒 = 𝟑𝟑𝟎 − − − − − (𝟒)

The augmented matrix of the above system of equations is given as

1 −1 0 0 ∶ 160
0 1 −1 0 ∶ −40
[ ]
0 0 1 −1 ∶ 210
1 0 0 −1 ∶ 330
 1 −1 0 0 ∶ 160
0 1 −1 0 ∶ −40
[ ] -----------------𝑅4 ⟹ 𝑅4 − 𝑅1
0 0 1 −1 ∶ 210
0 1 0 −1 ∶ 170

1 −1 0 0 ∶ 160
0 1 −1 0 ∶ −40
[ ] -----------------𝑅4 ⟹ 𝑅4 − 𝑅2
0 0 1 −1 ∶ 210
0 0 1 −1 ∶ 210

1 −1 0 0 ∶ 160
0 1 −1 0 ∶ −40
[ ] -----------------𝑅4 ⟹ 𝑅4 − 𝑅3 (Row Echelon Form)
0 0 1 −1 ∶ 210
0 0 0 0∶ 0

Now,

1 0 −1 0 ∶ 120
0 1 −1 0 ∶ −40
[ ] -----------------𝑅1 ⟹ 𝑅1 + 𝑅2
0 0 1 −1 ∶ 210
0 0 0 0∶ 0

1 0 0 −1 ∶ 330
0 1 −1 0 ∶ −40
[ ] -----------------𝑅1 ⟹ 𝑅1 + 𝑅3
0 0 1 −1 ∶ 210
0 0 0 0∶ 0

1 0 0 −1 ∶ 330
0 1 0 −1 ∶ 170
[ ] -----------------𝑅2 ⟹ 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 (Reduced Row Echelon Form)
0 0 1 −1 ∶ 210
0 0 0 0∶ 0

Since, last row of the matrix is a complete zero row. That is

𝟎𝒙 + 𝟎𝒚 + 𝟎𝒛 = 𝟎 ⟹ 𝟎 = 𝟎

which means that one variable will be treated as free variable. Therefore, let

𝒙𝟒 = 𝒕 (Free Variable i.e 𝒕 ∈ 𝑹)

Then, by simplifying, we get the solution is

 𝒙𝟒 = 𝒕

𝒙𝟑 = 𝒕 + 𝟐𝟏𝟎

𝒙𝟐 = 𝒕 + 𝟏𝟕𝟎
𝒙𝟏 = 𝒕 + 𝟑𝟑𝟎
Hence,
(𝒙𝟏 , 𝒙𝟐 , 𝒙𝟑 , 𝒙𝟒 ) = (𝒕 + 𝟑𝟑𝟎, 𝒕 + 𝟏𝟕𝟎, 𝒕 + 𝟐𝟏𝟎, 𝒕)

(b) Given that, the amount of traffic between intersections 𝑪 and 𝑫 averages 𝟐𝟎𝟎
automobiles. That is,
𝒙𝟒 = 𝒕 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎
Hence, the amount of traffic for other intersections is
𝒙𝟑 = 𝒕 + 𝟐𝟏𝟎 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎 + 𝟐𝟏𝟎 = 𝟒𝟏𝟎
𝒙𝟐 = 𝒕 + 𝟏𝟕𝟎 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎 + 𝟏𝟕𝟎 = 𝟑𝟕𝟎
𝒙𝟏 = 𝒕 + 𝟑𝟑𝟎 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎 + 𝟑𝟑𝟎 = 𝟓𝟑𝟎
Hence,

(𝒙𝟏 , 𝒙𝟐 , 𝒙𝟑 , 𝒙𝟒 ) = (𝟓𝟑𝟎, 𝟑𝟕𝟎, 𝟒𝟏𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟎)

Question 6

The accompanying figure shows the flow of downtown traffic in a certain city during
rush hours on a typical weekday. The arrows indicate the direction of traffic flow
on each one–way road, and the average number of vehicles entering and leaving
each intersection per hour appears beside each road. Fifth and Sixth Avenues can
handle up to 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 vehicles per hour without causing congestion, whereas the
maximum capacity of each of the two
streets is 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 vehicles per hour. The
flow of traffic is controlled by traffic
lights installed at each of the four
intersections.

(a) Set up the system of equations that

would model this problem.

(b) Solve the system of equations and

write the answer in parametric form.
Place restrictions on the parameter.

(c) Find two possible flow patterns that would ensure that there is no traffic
congestion.
When all of these restrictions are considered, we find that in order to have a valid
solution, we need the restriction on the parameter to be 𝟎 ≤ 𝒘 ≤ 𝟖𝟓𝟎.
Practice Questions for Students:
Question 1: Students are buying books for the new semester. Asma buys the linear
algebra book and the differential equation book for $ 𝟏𝟕𝟖. Aiman, who is buying books
for herself and her friend, spends $ 𝟑𝟏𝟗 on two linear algebra books, one differential
equation book, and one educational psychology book. Sara buys the educational
psychology book and the differential equation book for $ 𝟏𝟒𝟕 in total. How much does
each book cost?

Question 2: A soap manufacturer wants to spend 𝟔𝟎 𝑳𝒂𝒄 rupees on radio,

magazine, and TV advertising. If he spends as much on TV advertisement as on
magazines and radio together, and the amount spend on magazines and TV
combined equals 𝟓 times that spent on radio, what is the amount to be spent on
each type of advertising?

Question 3: Three merchants find a purse lying in the road. One merchant says
“If I keep the purse, I shall have twice as much money as the two of you together”.
“Give me the purse and I shall have three times as much as the two of you
together”, said the second merchant. The third merchant said, “I shall be much
better off than either of you if I keep the purse, I shall have five times as much as
the two of you together.” If there are 𝟔𝟎 coins (of equal value) in the purse, how
much money does each merchant have?

Question 4: The new animated feature film is now playing 𝟑 times a day in DHA
Cinema. One day, there were 𝟐𝟎 adults, 𝟒𝟑 children and 𝟏𝟎 senior citizens and
theater made $ 𝟔𝟏𝟒. At the next showing there were 𝟐𝟒 adults, 𝟓𝟗 children and 𝟐𝟎
senior citizens with the theater making it $ 𝟖𝟓𝟐 in ticket sale. At the last showing
theater made $ 𝟒𝟎𝟓 with 𝟏𝟑 adults, 𝟑𝟎 children and 𝟓 senior citizens. How much
are the tickets price at the movie theater?
Answer: Tickets prices of adults, children, senior citizen 𝟏𝟎, 𝟖, 𝟕 dollars
respectively. (𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛) = (𝟏𝟎, 𝟖, 𝟕)

Question 5: A duck cost four coin, a hen cost 𝟑 coin, and a sparrow cost one coin.
Ali buys 𝟓𝟎 birds for 𝟏𝟎𝟎 coins. How many birds of each kind can he buy? Make a
system of linear equations and find their solution.