1. 3.1 Graphing Systems of Equations
Algebra II
Mrs. Aguirre
Fall 2013

2. Objective
You will solve a system of equations by graphing.

3. Application
Reliable Rentables rents moving trucks for $40 per day plus 35¢ per mile driven. The Mover’s Helper rents trucks for $36 a day plus 45¢ per mile driven. When is the total cost of a day’s rental the same for both companies? When is it better to rent from Reliable Rentals?

4. Now what? Let d = the total cost of a day’s rental.
Let m = the miles driven.
Write the following equations:
d = m (Total cost of renting from RR)
d = m (Total cost of renting from MH)

5. Now graph the two equations
By graphing these two equations, we can see how the rental rates compare. Each point on a line has coordinates that satisfy the equation of the line. Since (40, 54) is on both lines, it satisfies both equations. So, if you rent a truck from either company and drive 40 miles, the price will be $54. It is better to rent from Reliable Rentables when you drive more than 50 miles.
Together the equations
d = m and d = m are called a system of equations. The solution of this system is (40, 54) where they meet.

6. Using TI Calculator Make sure they are in slope intercept form (y=).
Fix window. (Zoom 3 until you can see both lines and their intersection!)
2nd Trace (Calc) 5 enter

7. Using TI Calculator Enter 3 times.
Intersection point on bottom of screen.

8. Ex. 1: Solve this system of equations by graphing:
The slope-intercept form of
x + y = 4 is y = -x +4
The slope-intercept form of
2x + 3y = 9 is
Since the two lines have different slopes, the graphs of the equations are intersecting lines.
They intersect at (3, 1).
The solution of the system is (3, 1).

9. Ex. 2: Solve this system of equations by graphing:
The slope-intercept form of
2y + 3x = 6 is
The slope-intercept form of
4y + 6x = 12 is
Since the two lines have the same slopes and y-intercept, the graphs are the same line.
Solution set is {(x, y) | 2y + 3x = 6}
There are infinitely many solutions to this system.

10. Ex. 3: The plumbing problem
Ex. 3: Perry’s Plumbing charges $35 for any service call plus an additional $40 an hour for labor. A service call from Rapid Repair Plumbing costs $45 plus an additional $40 an hour for labor. When is the total price for a service call the same for both companies? When is it better to use Perry’s Plumbing?
Let h represent the hours of labor and p represent the total price of the repair. Write and graph a system of equations.
No points of intersection! No solution! Since they never intersect, the total price from the two companies is never the same. It is always less expensive to use Perry’s
p = 40h + 35 (Total price from Perry’s)
p = 40h + 45 (Total price from RR)

11. Food for thought . . .
A system with no solutions like Example 3 is called an inconsistent system. A system that is consistent has lines that are not parallel.

12. Summary Chart of possibilities for graphs of two linear equations in two variables
Graphs of Equations
Slopes of Lines
Name of Systems of Equations
Number of Solutions
Lines intersect
Different slopes
Consistent & independent
one
Lines coincide
Same slope,
Same intercepts
Consistent and dependent
Infinite
Lines parallel
Same slope, different intercepts
Inconsistent
none

13. Chalkboard Example: Solve this system of equations by graphing:
The slope-intercept form of
x + y = 5 is
The slope-intercept form of
3x - 2y = 20 is
Since the two lines do not have the same slope, they intersect.
They intersect at (6, -1).
The solution of the system is (6, -1).

14. Chalkboard Example: Solve this system of equations by graphing:
The slope-intercept form of
Y = -3x +5 is
The slope-intercept form of
9x + 3y = 15 is
Since the two lines have the same slope and y-intercept, their graphs are the same line. Any ordered pair on the line will satisfy both equations.
Solution set is {(x, y) | y = -3x + 5}
There are infinitely many solutions to this system.