SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATION AND INEQUALITIES

(VERBAL PROBLEMS USING ONE, TWO, OR THREE UNKNOWNS)

Steps for Solving a Word Problem with 3 Unknowns Using a Linear Equation

Step 1: Write a system of linear equations that represents the situation using 3 variables.

Step 2: Use substitution to find the first variable.

Step 3: Substitute the first variable into an equation that relates to a second variable and solve
for that variable.

Step 4: Substitute the values found in Step 2 and Step 3 into the equation with all 3 variables
and solve for the remaining variable.

Definitions and Equations for Solving a Word Problem with 3 Unknowns Using a Linear
Equation

System of Linear Equations: a group of two or more linear equations that share the same
group of variables.

Substitution Method:

Isolate a variable in one of the equations.

Substitute the variable with the expression it equals into one of the other equations and solve for
a separate variable.
Solve any of the equations for the remaining variable(s).
Let's try using this knowledge to solve a word problem with 3 unknowns using a linear equation
in the following two examples. The first example will look at a word problem involving the digits
of a three-digit number. The second example will deal with how much money 3 people have.

Example Problem 1 - Finding the Digits of a Three-Digit Number

The one digit of a three-digit number is four times the hundreds digit while the tens digit is seven
more than the hundreds digit. If the sum of the three digits is 19, what is this three-digit number?

Step 1: Write a system of linear equations that represents the situation using 3 variables. We
will say that x is the one digit, y is the tens digit, and z is the hundreds digit. We first consider the
sum of the three digits, which is equal to 19:

x + y + z = 19

We see that x is 4 times z. So, we write this equation:

x = 4z

We also see that y is 7 more than z. In that case, we write this equation:

y=z+7

Step 2: Use substitution to find the first variable. Since x and y are both isolated, we can
substitute them into the first equation to find z:

4z + ( z + 7) + 7 = 19

Begin by combining like terms:

6z + 7 = 19

Subtract 7 from both sides:

6z = 12

Then, divide both sides by 6:

z=2

This means that z, or the hundreds digit, is 2.

Step 3: Substitute the first variable into an equation that relates to a second variable and solve
for that variable. Since there are two that relate z to the other variables, either choice is fine. For
this problem, we will choose to solve for y next:

y=2+7=9

This means that y, or the tens digit, is 9.

Step 4: Substitute the values found in Step 2 and Step 3 into the equation with all 3 variables
and solve for the remaining variable. That leaves us with finding x, so we use the equation
where the sum of the digits equal the given number:

x + 9 +2 = 19

We combine like terms:

x + 11 = 19
Then, subtract 11 from both sides:

x=8

This means that x, or the one digit, is 8. Bringing it all together, the three-digit number is 298.

Example Problem 2 - Finding How Much Money Three People Have

Abby, Ben, and Carter have a total of P47 with them. Ben has half the amount of money that
Abby has, and Carter has P3 more than Ben. How much money do they each have?

Step 1: Write a system of linear equations that represent the situation using 3 variables. We call
the money Abby has, b the money Ben has, and c the money Carter has. This is the total
amount of money they have together:

a + b + c = 47

Ben has half the money that Abby has, so:

b=½a

We can also write this as:

a = 2b

Meanwhile, Carter has P3 more than Ben, giving us:

c = b +3

Step 2: Use substitution to find the first variable. With a and c isolated, we substitute them into
the first equation to find b:

2b + b + (b + 3) = 47

Combine like terms:

4b + 3 = 47

Then, subtract 3 from both sides:

4b = 44

Finally, divide both sides by 4:

b = 11

So, Ben has P11.

Step 3: Substitute the first variable into an equation that relates to a second variable and solve
for that variable. This time, we will solve for a:

a = (2)(11) = 22

So, Abby has P22.

Step 4: Substitute the values found in Step 2 and Step 3 into the equation with all 3 variables
and solve for the remaining variable. We are left with finding c, so we use the first equation to
solve for c:

22 + 11 + c = 47

Combine like terms:

33 + c = 47

Subtract 33 from both sides:

c = 14

This means that Carter has P14.

Example Problem 3

In a garden, there are three types of flowers: roses, tulips, and daisies. The total number of
flowers is 130. The number of roses is twice the number of tulips, and the number of daisies is
10 more than the number of tulips. How many roses , tulips, and daisies are there in the
garden?

let x = number of roses

y = number of tulips
z = number of daisies
The total number of flowers is 120:
x + y + z = 130
Step 1 : Write a system of linear equations that represents the situation using 3 variables. We
will say that x is the one digit, y is the tens digit, and z is the hundreds digit. We first consider the
sum of the three digits, which is equal to 130:

x + y + z = 130
We see that x is twice times y. So, we write this equation:

x= 2y

We also see that z is 10 more than y. In that case, we write this equation:

z = y + 10

Step 2: Substitution: We can substitute the values for x and z into the 1st equations:

2y + y + ( y + 10 ) = 130

Combine like terms:

4y + 10 = 130

Step 3 : Substitute the first variable into an equation that relates to a second variable and solve
for that variable. Since there are two that relate z to the other variables, either choice is fine. For
this problem, we will choose to solve for y next:

4y + 10 = 130

4y + 10 - 10 = 130 - 10

4y/4 = 120/4

y= 30

Step 4 : Substitute the values found in Step 2 and 'Step 3 into the equation with all 3 variables
and solve for the total flowers in the garden.

2( 30 ) + 30 + ( 30 + 10 ) = 130
60 + 30 + ( 40 ) = 130
130 = 130
x = 60 roses
y = 30 tulips
z = 40 daisies

Activity: Answer the following in a 1 whole sheet of paper.

 1. Tom has x dollars, Sarah has y dollars, and together they have 50 dollars. If Tom gives
10 dollars to Sarah, he will have z dollars. How can we find the values of x, y, and z?”
2. Three siblings, Emily, Ethan, and Emma, are having a friendly debate about their ages.
Emily is the oldest, and Emma is the youngest. Ethan says, "If you add my age to
Emily's age, you get twice Emma's age." Emily adds, "And if you subtract Emma's age
from mine, you get Ethan's age." If the sum of their ages is 36, how old is each sibling?
3. Three friends, Alice, Bob, and Carol, are planning a birthday party. They want to buy a
cake, decorations, and party favors. They have a total of $65 to spend. Bob wants to
spend twice as much on decorations as Alice, and Carol wants to spend $10 more than
Bob on the cake. How much can each friend spend on their respective items?

Answers
1.
Step 1: Write a system of linear equations that represents the situation using 3 variables.

x + y = 50 (Tom's money + Sarah's money = total money)

x - 10 = z (Tom's money after giving 10 dollars)
y + 10 = z (Sarah's money after receiving 10 dollars)

Step 2: Use substitution to find the first variable.

We can use the second equation to eliminate 'z' from the third equation:

x - 10 = y + 10

Step 3: Substitute the first variable into an equation that relates to a second variable and solve
for that variable.

Simplify and solve for 'x':

x = y + 20

Step 4: Substitute the values found in Step 2 and Step 3 into the equation with all 3 variables
and solve for the remaining variable.

Substitute the value of 'x' into the first equation:

(y + 20) + y = 50

Simplify and solve for 'y':

- 2y + 20 = 50
- 2y = 30
- y = 15

Substitute the value of 'y' back into the equation for 'x':

- x = 15 + 20
- x = 35

Now substitute the value of 'x' into the second equation to find 'z':

35 - 10 = z
z = 25

Therefore, Tom (x) has $35, Sarah (y) has $15, and Tom (z) will have $25 after giving $10 to
Sarah

2.
Step 1: Write a system of linear equations that represents the situation using 3 variables.

a + b + c = 65 (Total spending)
b = 2a (Bob's spending)
c = b + 10 (Carol's spending)

Step 2: Use substitution to find the first variable.

Substitute the second and third equations into the first equation to eliminate 'b' and 'c':

a + 2a + (2a + 10) = 65

Step 3: Substitute the first variable into an equation that relates to a second variable and solve
for that variable.

Combine like terms and solve for 'a':

5a + 10 = 65
5a = 55
a = 11

So, Alice can spend $11.

Step 4: Substitute the values found in Step 2 and Step 3 into the equation with all 3 variables
and solve for the remaining variable.
Substitute 'a' back into the equation for 'b':

b = 2 * 11 = 22

So, Bob can spend $22.

Finally, substitute 'b' into the equation for 'c':

c = 22 + 10 = 32

So, Carol can spend $32.

Therefore, Alice can spend $11, Bob can spend $22, and Carol can spend $32.

3.
Step 1: Write a system of linear equations that represents the situation using 3 variables.

- e + t + m = 36 (Total age)
- t + e = 2m (Ethan's statement)
-e-m=t (Emily's statement)

Step 2: Use substitution to find the first variable.

We can use the third equation to eliminate 't' from the first and second equations:

- e + (e - m) + m = 36
- (e - m) + e = 2m

Step 3: Substitute the first variable into an equation that relates to a second variable and solve
for that variable.

Simplify and combine like terms:

2e = 36
2e - m = 2m

Solve for 'e' in the first simplified equation:

e = 18

Now, substitute 'e' into the second simplified equation:

2(18) - m = 2m
Simplify and solve for 'm':

36 - m = 2m
36 = 3m
m = 12

Step 4: Substitute the values found in Step 2 and Step 3 into the equation with all 3 variables
and solve for the remaining variable.

Substitute 'e' and 'm' back into the original equation for 't':

18 + t + 12 = 36
t=6

Therefore, Emily is 18 years old, Ethan is 6 years old, and Emma is 12 years old.

Group1
Asusano, Christian Jay
Auxtero, Fredlyn
Balaba, Samantha Claire
Baldon, Angelie
Caduyac, Shella Mae
Naldoza, Earl Lawrence
Tanquilan, Renneth