The Systems of linear equations word problems exercise appears under the 8th grade (U.S.) Math Mission, Algebra I Math Mission, Mathematics II Math Mission, Algebra II Math Mission and Mathematics III Math Mission. This exercise uses systems of equations to solve word problems.
Types of Problems[]
There is one type of problem in this exercise:
- Solve the word problem using a system: This problem provides a word problem in which there are two unknown quantities. The user is expected to create and use a system of equations to solve the problem.
Solve the word problem using a system
Strategies[]
Translating math into English and knowledge of the various ways to solve a system of equations (substitution, elimination and graphing) can help to ensure success on this exercise.
- The majority of the equations are set up so that substitution is the smoothest way to approach the problem.
- Research indicates answers will be positive integers in almost all cases, so "plugging in numbers" can be an efficient way to work the problem in some isolated cases.
Real-life Applications[]
- These problems are word problems so the express possible real-life situations in which to use these techniques.
- In business, Cost, Revenue and Profit equations can be linear and finding equilibrium is essentially solving a word problem with systems of equations.
- Equations show up in nearly every science or business class one is ever in.
- Computers are also equation solvers. Computers were originally invented to solve equations over and over again instead of humans doing the calculations.
- Knowledge of algebra is essential for higher math levels like trigonometry and calculus. Algebra also has countless applications in the real world.