ACT Math : Systems of Equations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #243 : Equations / Inequalities

Solve for  and .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Setting both equations equal to  gives

and

Setting these expressions equal to each other gives

So, .

Plugging that back into the first equation:

The final answer is  and .

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Solution To An Inequality With Division

Solve for .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For the second equation, solve for  in terms of .

Plug this value of y into the first equation.

Example Question #1 : How To Evaluate Algebraic Expressions

A store sells 17 coffee mugs for $169. Some of the mugs are $12 each and some are $7 each. How many $7 coffee mugs were sold?

Possible Answers:

10

7

8

6

9

Correct answer:

7

Explanation:

The answer is 7. 

Write two independent equations that represent the problem. 

x + y = 17 and 12x + 7y = 169

If we solve the first equation for x, we get x = 17 – y and we can plug this into the second equation. 

12(17 – y) + 7y = 169

204 – 12y + 7y =169

–5y = –35

y = 7

Example Question #31 : How To Find The Solution For A System Of Equations

What is the solution of  for the systems of equations?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We add the two systems of equations:

For the Left Hand Side:

For the Right Hand Side:

So our resulting equation is:

 

Divide both sides by 10:

For the Left Hand Side:

For the Right Hand Side:

Our result is:

Example Question #2 : Linear Equations With Whole Numbers

What is the solution of  that satisfies both equations?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Reduce the second system by dividing by 3.

Second Equation:

     We this by 3.

Then we subtract the first equation from our new equation.

First Equation:

First Equation - Second Equation:

Left Hand Side:

Right Hand Side:

Our result is:

Example Question #31 : Basic Arithmetic

What is the solution of  for the two systems of equations?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We first add both systems of equations.

Left Hand Side:

Right Hand Side:

Our resulting equation is:

 

We divide both sides by 3.

Left Hand Side:

Right Hand Side:

Our resulting equation is:

Example Question #521 : Algebra

What is the solution of  for the two systems?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We first multiply the second equation by 4.

So our resulting equation is:

Then we subtract the first equation from the second new equation.

Left Hand Side:

Right Hand Side:

Resulting Equation:

 

We divide both sides by -15

Left Hand Side:

Right Hand Side:

Our result is:

 

Example Question #31 : Systems Of Equations

What is the value of  if

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When you have a set of two equations, you need to solve one for one of the variables. Then, you substitute that value into the other. For this set, we can even do something a little easier. Solve the second for :

 becomes:

Now,substitute into the first equation for :

 becomes:

Now, just simplify:

Now, use  to solve for . Substitute in  for :

Finding the common denominator, you get:

Divide both sides by :

 

Example Question #31 : Systems Of Equations

What is the value of  if...

 and

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When you have a set of two equations, you need to solve one for one of the variables. Then, you substitute that value into the other. Either equation will work rather well, so use the first. Thus, from  you get:

Now, substitute into the second equation:

Simplifying, you get:

Example Question #33 : Systems Of Equations

There are a variety of pitchers on a shelf, one that is blue and one that is red. For a given color, the amount of water held is the same. Three red and one blue pitcher hold  of water. Likewise, seven red and four blue pitchers hold   of water. How much water does each red pitcher hold?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Begin by writing out your data in equations. Based on the description, we know:

and ...

Now, to solve two equations like this, solve one equation for a variable. Then substitute into the other. The easiest one to solve is . From this, we know:

Now, substitute this into the other equation:

Simplify:

Luckily, this is just what we need!

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